Tyre recycling gets a boost

The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) has been appointed to the Waste Tyre Management Industry Advisory Committee, tasked with implementing a government-approved plan to manage the country’s tyre waste.

Globally, an estimated one billion tyres reach the end of their useful life every year. Waste tyre management has been a significant bottleneck for the South African tyre industry until now. Some challenges included the annual inflow of waste tyres exceeding the current processing capacity, resulting in over-full depots and backlogs at tyre dealers.

The plan aims to increase waste tyre processing capacity, develop robust monitoring systems and support municipal waste management initiatives.

SATMC’s managing executive, Nduduzo Chala, emphasised the importance of industry-wide collaboration to address this pressing environmental issue.

Key challenges in tyre waste management include:

• The overcapacity at tyre processing facilities
• A high fire risk from stockpiled tyres
• A lack of investment in waste tyre infrastructure.

To tackle these challenges, three dedicated waste tyre management regions will be established across South Africa.

Repurposing waste tyres is a top priority. The SATMC is exploring ways to use recycled tyres in road construction, municipal infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Another focus area is tyre mutilation. The SATMC has developed standards to prevent illegal tyre resale and advocates for stricter regulations on second-hand tyres.

With the support of industry stakeholders and government agencies, South Africa is poised to make significant progress in managing waste tyres and promoting a circular economy for this valuable resource.

Source: MotorPress