New Chapter for Waste Tyre Management in South Africa as SATMC Joins Advisory Committee

In a significant move to address the burgeoning issue of tyre waste management in South Africa, the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) — which includes industry giants Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, and Sumitomo Rubber — has been appointed to the Waste Tyre Management Industry Advisory Committee. This strategic alliance was announced by Dr. Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, signaling a robust effort towards mitigating the environmental impact of waste tyres.

Nduduzo Chala, the managing executive of SATMC, will play a pivotal role as vice-chair of the committee, while Tyre Importers Association of SA chair, Charl de Villiers, takes the lead as chair. The committee's composition reflects a wide array of stakeholders including the Retail Motor Industry Organisation, TEPA, the Tyre Recycling Industry Association of SA, the Recycling Association of SA, and the Waste Tyre Management Forum. Moreover, influential bodies such as the Black Business Council, Business Unity SA, Minerals Council SA, along with the departments of science & innovation and trade, industry & competition, are also participating.

With around 1-billion tyres worldwide reaching the end of their usability annually, the SATMC's involvement symbolizes a critical juncture for South Africa, which has long faced uphill challenges in managing tyre waste. The annual influx of waste tyres has overwhelmed existing processing capacities, creating resource crises at tyre depots and fire hazards. Institutional barriers further complicate the investment in necessary infrastructure.

Chala conveys optimism about the establishment of three dedicated regions for waste tyre management, each addressing distinct areas of South Africa. The deployment of these regions is a strategic move designed to streamline waste tyre processing and disposal, significantly reducing environmental hazards.

Furthermore, SATMC is setting sights on beneficial repurposing opportunities for waste tyres, exploring innovative applications like using tyre crumb in road building or leveraging waste tyres in construction projects. These developments echo the organization’s commitment to not just manage but to valorize waste products.

On the regulatory front, Chala is advocating for firm actions to curb the circulation of part-worn or second-hand tyres, which oftentimes fall below safety standards and pose significant dangers to motorists. Highlighting an alarming statistic, he notes that a steep percentage of sampled tyres do not meet legal criteria, emphasizing the urgent need for regulation to ensure road safety and proper handling of waste tyres.

In line with this, the SATMC's initiatives include the promotion of the tyre mutilation initiative, ensuring that tyres are disposed of in a manner that prevents their re-entry into the market. Although the official SANS 1633 Standard by the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) is still awaiting issuance, expected by June 2024, SATMC's framework and efforts are charting a course towards a safer and more sustainable road ahead for South Africa's tyre industry.