Every year, over 7.75 million used tyres, or approx. 73,400 tonnes of rubber are sent
to landfill or wasted in New Zealand.

Cambridge’s Treadlite NZ Ltd has adopted a circular economy approach, collecting 2.6 million tyres from across their 16 national sites and repurposing over 9,000 tyres per week in their Cambridge factory into premium recycled rubber products at the country’s largest tyre recycling plant.

Treadlite began with a mission to tidy up Cambridge but have grown into the biggest tyre recyclers in the country.

Their recycling process takes end-of-life tyres through a triple-treated refinery process with a series of shredders, raspers and magnets. Brad Pierce, Executive Director, says granules are produced that can be used to create playground matting, roading, artificial sports fields, mats, gym flooring, horse arenas and more.

“As the largest tyre recycling plant in New Zealand processing end-of-life rubber based products, we’re dedicated to making a significant impact on the environment and communities, driving towards a greener, more sustainable future. We utilise
cutting-edge technology to transform used tyres into valuable raw materials and promote a full circular eco concept, ensuring that every part of the recycling process contributes to a cleaner and more efficient recycling loop”. 

We’re stopping waste before it’s created and instead turning it into usable products

Treadlite received the 2023 Waipā Networks Supreme Award for their efforts in preventing waste and converting it into usable products.

“By turning used tyres into valuable products, we can reduce waste, lower the environmental impact, and create a more sustainable industry in New Zealand,” says Brad… their vision is simple – “Our Place, Our Problem.”