Every year, millions of tyres reach the end of their life in New Zealand. If they are not recycled properly, they can end up in landfill, illegal dumping sites, or large tyre stockpiles that create environmental and safety problems. Tyrewise was introduced to make tyre recycling easier and more consistent across the country.
Since 1 September 2024, Tyrewise has operated as New Zealand’s nationwide tyre recycling scheme. It helps collect, transport, and recycle old tyres through approved collection points. For most people, this means they can drop off eligible end-of-life tyres without paying a disposal fee at the time they get rid of them.
In this guide, you’ll learn how Tyrewise works, what the tyre stewardship fee covers, where you can recycle tyres in Otago, and what happens to the tyres on your vehicle when it’s recycled through a licensed car wrecker.
What Is Tyrewise and Why Was It Introduced?
For many years, getting rid of old tyres in New Zealand wasn’t always simple. Some tyres were recycled, but many ended up in landfill, illegal dumping sites, or large stockpiles that created fire and environmental risks. Tyrewise was introduced to solve this problem by giving every tyre a clear recycling path once it reaches the end of its life.
Tyrewise is New Zealand’s nationwide tyre recycling scheme. It makes the businesses that import and sell tyres responsible for helping fund their collection and recycling. The scheme is backed by the Waste Minimisation (Tyres) Regulations 2023 under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and covers tyres from cars, utes, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, buses, aircraft, and many off-road vehicles. It is managed by Auto Stewardship New Zealand (ASNZ) and overseen by the Ministry for the Environment.
Two important dates changed how tyre recycling works in New Zealand. The tyre stewardship fee started on 1 March 2024, and from 1 September 2024, Tyrewise began offering nationwide tyre collection through approved collection sites. If you’re scrapping a vehicle with Car Wreckers Otago, the tyres stay with the vehicle and are sent through approved recycling channels where eligible, making the process simple while helping keep old tyres out of landfill.
How Tyrewise Tyre Recycling NZ Works: Step-by-Step
It’s easy to understand, includes important keywords naturally, and encourages readers to continue because it clearly explains they’ll learn what happens to their tyres from start to finish.
Step 1: A Tyre Enters New Zealand
When new tyres or vehicles with tyres are imported, a tyre stewardship fee is charged. This fee helps pay for the collection, transport, and recycling of those tyres once they wear out. Instead of leaving disposal costs until later, the recycling cost is planned from the beginning.
Step 2: The Tyre Is Sold
When you buy new tyres, the stewardship fee is shown separately on your invoice. This lets you see exactly what you’re paying for and helps fund New Zealand’s tyre recycling system.
Step 3: The Tyre Reaches the End of Its Life
Once a tyre is too worn to use safely, it can be taken to an approved Tyrewise collection site or left with a participating tyre shop. If you’re selling an unwanted vehicle to Car Wreckers Otago, you don’t need to remove the tyres first. We collect the whole vehicle, making the process easier while ensuring eligible tyres move into approved recycling channels.
Step 4: Tyres Are Collected and Tracked
Approved transport companies collect the tyres from registered collection sites. Every load is recorded through the Tyrewise tracking system, so tyres can be followed from collection to recycling. This helps prevent illegal dumping and keeps the recycling process accountable.
Step 5: Useful Materials Are Recovered
At the recycling facility, tyres are processed into separate materials. The rubber, steel, and textile fibres are recovered instead of being thrown away, allowing valuable resources to be used again.
Step 6: Recycled Materials Are Used Again
The recovered rubber is turned into products such as playground surfaces, sports flooring, safety matting, and road materials. Some tyres are also processed into tyre-derived fuel for industrial use. By keeping these materials in use, Tyrewise helps reduce waste while giving old tyres a practical second life.
Is Tyre Disposal Free Under Tyrewise?
Yes—if the tyre is covered by the Tyrewise scheme, you can dispose of it without paying a disposal fee when it reaches the end of its life. The recycling cost has already been covered through the tyre stewardship fee, so you shouldn’t have to pay again just to get rid of your old tyres.
There are two simple ways to dispose of eligible tyres. If you’re replacing your tyres at a registered Tyrewise tyre shop, you can leave the old ones there. You can also take up to five eligible tyres to an approved public Tyrewise collection site. In both cases, there is no extra disposal charge for covered tyres.
If you’re scrapping an old vehicle with Car Wreckers Otago, the process is even easier. You don’t need to remove the tyres before collection. We collect the complete vehicle, including the wheels and tyres, saving you time while ensuring eligible tyres move through approved recycling channels.
How Much Is the Tyre Stewardship Fee?
The tyre stewardship fee helps pay for collecting, transporting, and recycling tyres once they can no longer be used. For a standard passenger vehicle tyre, the benchmark fee is $6.65 (excluding GST). Larger tyres weigh more, so the fee increases based on the tyre’s weight rather than its purchase price.
The fee is paid only once when a regulated tyre first enters New Zealand. This means if you buy second-hand tyres that were originally sold in New Zealand, the stewardship fee has already been paid. You shouldn’t be charged the same fee again.
Knowing how the fee works can help you avoid unnecessary charges. When your vehicle reaches the end of its life, selling it to Car Wreckers Otago means the tyres stay with the vehicle, making the recycling process simple while helping keep reusable materials out of landfill.
Tyre Recycling in New Zealand: Before vs After Tyrewise
| Before Tyrewise | After Tyrewise |
| Different disposal rules in different areas. | One nationwide tyre recycling system. |
| Little tracking of old tyres. | Approved collection and digital tracking. |
| More illegal dumping and tyre stockpiles. | Better accountability and safer recycling. |
| Fewer recycling options. | More approved collection and recycling sites. |
| Disposal fees varied between businesses. | Stewardship fee helps fund the recycling process. |
How Is Tyrewise Performing?
Tyrewise is already making a positive impact. In its first 13 months, it collected 36,801 tonnes of end-of-life tyres, including around 4.6 million passenger car tyres. The scheme has also expanded its network of approved collection and recycling partners across New Zealand.
While some tyres are still used as tyre-derived fuel or processed overseas, the scheme has made tyre recycling far more organised than before. If you’re scrapping your vehicle with Car Wreckers Otago, we collect the tyres with the vehicle, making recycling easier and more convenient.
Tyre Recycling in Otago: What You Should Know
If you live in Dunedin, Central Otago, Clutha, or Waitaki, recycling old tyres is much easier than it used to be. Tyrewise has approved collection sites and transport partners across Otago, making it easier to keep unwanted tyres out of landfill and illegal dumping areas.
One challenge remains. The South Island has fewer tyre recycling facilities than the North Island, so some tyres are sent to other regions or overseas for processing. That’s why it’s important to use an approved collection service. If you’re scrapping a vehicle, Car Wreckers Otago collects the whole car, including the tyres, helping them enter the proper recycling system.
What Happens to the Tyres When You Scrap a Car?
When you sell your unwanted vehicle to Car Wreckers Otago, you don’t need to remove the tyres first. We collect the complete vehicle, including the wheels and tyres, making the process simple from start to finish.
If the tyres are still safe to use, they may be reused where appropriate. Worn-out tyres are sent through approved Tyrewise recycling channels, while the wheels are separated and recycled as metal. This means more of your vehicle is recovered instead of ending up as waste.
Where Can You Recycle Old Tyres?
You have three easy options:
- Leave your old tyres with a participating tyre shop when buying replacements.
- Take up to five eligible tyres to an approved Tyrewise collection site.
- If you’re scrapping a vehicle, let Car Wreckers Otago collect the entire car, including the tyres.
Choosing an approved recycling option helps keep tyres out of illegal dumping sites and ensures they are handled responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is tyre disposal free in New Zealand?
Yes. If your tyres are covered by Tyrewise, you can leave them with a participating tyre shop or take up to five eligible tyres to an approved collection site without paying a disposal fee.
2. How much is the tyre stewardship fee?
The benchmark fee is $6.65 (excluding GST) for a standard passenger tyre. The amount varies depending on the tyre’s weight.
3. Who pays the tyre stewardship fee?
The fee is charged when regulated tyres enter New Zealand and is included in the cost of the tyre or vehicle you purchase.
4. Do I pay the fee again when buying second-hand tyres?
No. If the tyres were originally imported into New Zealand, the stewardship fee has already been paid once.
5. What happens to old tyres after they are collected?
Approved recycling facilities separate the rubber, steel, and other materials so they can be reused in new products or industrial applications.
6. Do I need to remove the tyres before selling my car?
No. Leave the tyres on the vehicle. Car Wreckers Otago collects the complete vehicle, making the recycling process easier for you.
Ready to Recycle Your Old Vehicle?
If your car has reached the end of its life, Car Wreckers Otago makes the process simple. We offer free car removal across Otago, pay top cash for unwanted vehicles, and collect the tyres with the vehicle, so you don’t have to deal with them separately.
Contact Car Wreckers Otago today for a free, no-obligation quote. We’ll collect your vehicle at a time that suits you and make sure its tyres, metals, batteries, and other recyclable parts are handled through the proper recovery channels.