Turning Tyres into Resources: South Africa’s Waste Management Challenge

South Africa faces a growing waste tyre crisis, with only 31.5% of tyres being processed, while millions are dumped or burned, posing severe environmental risks. Urgent investment in recycling infrastructure, stricter regulations, and innovative waste-to-energy solutions is needed to transition towards a sustainable, circular economy.

South Africa faces a mounting challenge in waste tyre management, exacerbated by rapid urbanization, economic growth, and rising vehicle ownership. Research conducted by the Green Engineering Research Group at Durban University of Technology, the School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies at the University of South Africa, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) highlights the country’s struggle to handle its waste tyre problem. With around 11.1 million post-consumer tyres generated annually, only 31.5% are recovered and processed, leaving millions of tyres stockpiled, dumped illegally, or burned. The issue mirrors a global crisis, where 1.5 billion waste tyres were produced in 2021 alone, with a projected 4.3% annual increase. Despite the South African government’s interventions, including the Integrated Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan (IIWTMP), the country’s waste tyre management infrastructure remains weak, and a large number of tyres are unaccounted for.

Uneven Distribution of Waste Tyres Across Provinces

The waste tyre crisis is especially severe in four provinces—Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga—which collectively account for 74% of the country’s total waste tyre generation. Gauteng, as South Africa’s economic hub, generates a staggering 39% of the country’s waste tyres, followed by the Western Cape at 16%. However, despite being the biggest contributor, Gauteng has a well-developed tyre processing infrastructure, including pyrolysis plants, material recovery centers, and energy recovery projects. In contrast, Mpumalanga lags behind, with only limited tyre retreading operations and brick kiln co-processing facilities. This highlights the uneven distribution of waste tyre management facilities, with rural and less developed provinces lacking the necessary resources to handle the crisis. To create a truly national waste tyre solution, investment in collection, processing, and recycling facilities must be expanded to these underdeveloped regions.

Lessons from Global Waste Tyre Management Success

Developed nations have successfully tackled waste tyre accumulation through strict regulations, producer responsibility programs, and waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies. The European Union (EU) banned landfilling of tyres in 2006 and implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs, where manufacturers bear the cost of tyre disposal and recycling. The United States has also achieved high waste tyre recovery rates by diverting tyres into material recycling, cement kilns, and industrial furnaces. Japan, known for its innovation in waste management, has invested heavily in pyrolysis and gasification technologies, repurposing tyres for steel production and chemical manufacturing. In contrast, South Africa struggles with limited infrastructure, weak enforcement, and insufficient investment in recycling technologies. If South Africa is to improve its waste tyre management, learning from these global best practices and adopting stricter enforcement policies will be essential.

Alternative Uses for Waste Tyres in South Africa

South Africa employs several strategies for waste tyre management, though not all provinces have equal access to them. Pyrolysis, which involves breaking down tyres at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, is gaining momentum, particularly in Gauteng, where two operational plants process 25,550 tons annually. Material recovery, where tyres are shredded into crumb rubber for use in road construction and playground surfaces, is active in the Western Cape, processing 11,825 tons annually. Energy recovery, where tyres are used as fuel in brick kilns and cement factories, is practiced in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga, reducing the reliance on coal. Retreading, a process where worn-out tyres are given a second life, is common for trucks and buses and is actively practiced in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga. Despite these efforts, many tyres still end up in illegal dumps or are burned, releasing toxic pollutants. Expanding these waste tyre repurposing strategies nationwide could significantly reduce environmental harm while creating economic opportunities.

The Path to a Sustainable Waste Tyre Future

Despite some progress, South Africa’s waste tyre management still lacks uniformity, efficiency, and enforcement. Many rural areas lack proper waste tyre collection centers, leading to continued stockpiling and illegal disposal. To address this, expanding waste tyre processing facilities to underdeveloped provinces, enforcing stricter waste management laws, and incentivizing responsible tyre disposal should be priorities. Innovative uses for waste tyres, such as crumb rubber-modified asphalt for roads, tyre-derived aggregates in drainage systems, and vibration-damping materials for railway tracks, should be further explored. Japan’s approach of using tyres in pulp and paper industries, steel production, and even electricity generation demonstrates South Africa’s untapped potential in the waste-to-energy sector. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and stronger partnerships between the government, private sector, and research institutions will be key in developing a circular economy, where waste tyres become valuable resources rather than environmental burdens.

South Africa’s waste tyre crisis demands urgent and strategic intervention. While efforts have been made to divert tyres from landfills, the lack of widespread infrastructure, weak enforcement, and gaps in rural waste management continue to hinder progress. A national approach that includes investment in advanced recycling technologies, expansion of processing plants, and the adoption of best global practices will be critical. If executed correctly, South Africa can transition from an inefficient, landfill-dependent model to a sustainable, circular economy, where waste tyres are transformed into valuable commodities rather than environmental liabilities.