Global Tire Industry Releases Updated Toolkit to Strengthen Tire Recycling Systems

Tire Industry Project has released a new guidance document aimed at improving the collection, recycling and recovery of discarded tires worldwide, publishing the End-of-Life Tire Toolkit 2.0 as part of broader efforts to strengthen circularity across the tire value chain.

The updated toolkit provides practical guidance for governments, manufacturers and recyclers seeking to build more effective end-of-life tire (ELT) management systems, the organization said in its announcement. The guidance is intended to help stakeholders address waste challenges while capturing value from materials contained in used tires.

More than one billion tires reach the end of their usable life globally each year, creating both environmental risks and recycling opportunities. While many countries have established systems to collect and process ELTs, analysts say performance varies widely due to differences in regulations, infrastructure and market demand for recycled rubber products.

The latest toolkit expands on the first edition released in 2021 and compiles recent research, policy examples and operational insights from across the global tire industry. According to TIP, the new version includes case studies from nine countries illustrating different regulatory frameworks and levels of system maturity.

Industry groups note that end-of-life tires can be processed into a range of secondary materials, including crumb rubber for asphalt and sports surfaces, tire-derived fuel for cement kilns and steel recovered from tire reinforcement. However, inconsistent collection systems and limited processing capacity in some regions continue to hinder large-scale recycling.

The toolkit introduces several evaluation tools designed to help policymakers and industry participants analyze existing ELT programs. These include maturity-assessment frameworks that review system performance at each stage of the value chain, from collection and sorting to recycling and energy recovery.

It also provides guidance on closing gaps in national programs, outlining policy approaches and operational practices that can improve transparency, boost recovery rates and support more stable recycling markets. Observers say such guidance is increasingly relevant as governments pursue circular economy strategies that emphasize resource efficiency and waste reduction.

TIP said the updated resource aligns with international sustainability priorities, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption and production and improved resource management.

Tania Paratian, director of action and engagement at the Tire Industry Project, said the initiative aims to support stakeholders at different stages of system development. She noted that effective ELT management can reduce environmental impacts while creating long-term economic value through the recovery of materials.

Industry analysts say demand for recycled tire materials is likely to grow as infrastructure projects incorporate more recycled content and as manufacturers explore alternative feedstocks to reduce reliance on virgin raw materials.

Source: Tire Industry Project

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The Tire Industry Project’s new global toolkit reflects rising industry focus on building more consistent and circular systems for managing the more than one billion tires reaching the end of life each year.