Continental Tyres has warned that a lack of awareness around used tyre disposal is leading to retread-suitable carcasses being wasted, while some fleet operators may also be missing out on potential financial rebates by failing to return used tyres to manufacturers.

The company highlighted retreading as a key tool for managing the volume of waste tyres generated by UK fleets each year. In a Continental-commissioned survey of more than 700 UK-based fleets, 26.8 per cent of respondents said they did not know whether they had an agreed disposal method in place for used truck and bus tyres.

According to Continental, having a formal tyre disposal programme with a manufacturer, retailer or specialist provider not only supports the retreading ecosystem but also helps maximise recycling rates and reduce waste. Without clear arrangements, some tyres risk being mishandled or illegally dumped.

The scale of the issue was illustrated by A Peace for Nature’s Ogmore River Clean Project in South Wales, supported by Continental, which recovered thousands of discarded tyres from the estuary where the River Ogmore meets the Bristol Channel.

Continental said many fleets are overlooking a cost-effective way to extend tyre life before disposal becomes necessary. Retreading effectively remanufactures a tyre, allowing it to be safely reused rather than sent to landfill or incineration. This circular approach benefits operators and manufacturers alike, while delivering clear environmental gains.

Premium retreaded tyres, the company noted, can offer performance comparable to new tyres and can also be regrooved to further extend service life. In some cases, tyres can undergo a second or even third retreading cycle, significantly increasing their total mileage potential.

“Many operators simply don’t realise the opportunities they’re missing when it comes to used tyres – both in recovering costs and reducing waste,” said Pete Robb, marketing director at Continental. “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. In the UK, its ContiLifeCycle retreading plant in Ivybridge, Devon, has been operating since 2016 and plays a central role in the company’s approach to sustainable tyre production and recycling.

To learn more, read the article by Transport Operator Magazine.