In Hamilton, New Zealand, developers have installed the country’s first footpath made with recycled tyres. The project at Jack’s Landing used 207 square metres of Porous Lane, a permeable rubberised paving developed by the University of Melbourne and introduced to New Zealand by Water Smart.

The material is produced with rubber crumb supplied by Treadlite under the nationwide Tyrewise product stewardship scheme. Each square metre of Porous Lane can use up to three tyres, with the Jack’s Landing path equivalent to about 170 passenger tyres. The paving is designed to last 25 years, reduces cracking, and helps manage stormwater by allowing water to drain through to the groundwater table.

Tyrewise estimates around six million tyres reach end of life annually in New Zealand. The scheme has been operating since 2023 and aims to ensure that 80% of tyres are recycled domestically within four years, requiring innovation and collaboration across industries.

Councils are showing interest in Porous Lane for use in areas such as tree pits and other sites where conventional paths can be disrupted. Research also shows that the material helps capture contaminants, preventing them from washing into waterways.

Read more in the original article by Waikato Times.