Continental backs retreading as answer to UK’s waste tyre challenge

Continental Tyres has warned that a lack of awareness around the used tyre disposal process is resulting in retread-suitable carcasses going to waste, and says some operators may also be forgoing a financial rebate by returning their used tyres to manufacturers.

The company emphasises the benefits of retreading in helping to manage the number of waste tyres generated by fleets each year. In a Continental-commissioned survey of more than 700 UK-based fleets, more than a quarter of question responders (26.8 per cent) didn’t know if they had an agreed disposal method for their used truck and bus tyres.

An agreed tyre disposal programme with a manufacturer, retailer or specialist firm not only supports the retreading ecosystem, says the firm, but helps to maximise recycling and reduce waste.

It highlighted how in some cases, tyres are illegally ‘dumped’. The scale of the problem was demonstrated by A Peace for Nature’s ‘Ogmore River Clean Project’ in South Wales, which was supported by Continental. The activity saw thousands of discarded tyres recovered from the estuary where the River Ogmore meets the Bristol Channel.

Continental says many fleets are failing to take advantage of a cost-effective method of extending the life of their tyres before disposal is needed. Retreading effectively remanufactures the tyre, it says, allowing them to be safely reused rather than ending up in landfill or incineration. This circular approach not only benefits manufacturers and operators but is also more sustainable.

In addition to offering performance capabilities that are comparable to those of a brand new tyre, premium retreads can also be regrooved to extend their service life. In many cases, they can even undergo a second or third retreading cycle, which can further increase their mileage potential.

Pete Robb, marketing director at Continental, said: “Many operators simply don’t realise the opportunities they’re missing when it comes to used tyres – both in recovering costs and reducing waste. Retreading offers a practical, sustainable way to keep tyres in use longer, helping fleets save money while protecting the environment.”

Continental has been retreading truck tyres for more than 120 years, which it says has significantly contributed to extending tyre life and reducing waste. In the UK, its dedicated retreading plant, ContiLifeCycle in Ivybridge, Devon, has been pioneering sustainable tyre production and recycling since initially opening its doors in 2016.