Continental warns that UK operators risk missing cost- and waste-saving opportunities, as many remain unaware of proper tyre disposal, and champions retreading as the solution.
UK Fleets Missing Cost Savings Due to Retreading Awareness Gap
Continental Tyres believes operators need to embrace retreading to help manage the number of waste tyres generated by fleets each year. However, a lack of awareness around the used tyre disposal process is resulting in retread-suitable carcasses going to waste. Some operators may also be forgoing a financial rebate by returning their used tyres to manufacturers.
A Continental-commissioned survey of more than 700 UK-based fleets revealed that, alarmingly, more than a quarter of respondents (26.8%) didn’t know if they had an agreed disposal method for their used truck and bus tyres.
Tyre Disposal Programs and Retreading Cut Waste
An agreed tyre disposal programme with a manufacturer, retailer or specialist firm not only supports the retreading ecosystem but also maximises recycling and reduces waste. Sadly, in some cases, tyres are illegally ‘dumped’. Some operators illegally dump tyres, and A Peace for Nature’s ‘Ogmore River Clean Project,’ supported by Continental, revealed the scale of the problem. The activity saw thousands of discarded tyres recovered from the estuary where the River Ogmore meets the Bristol Channel.
Many fleets overlook a cost-effective way to extend tyre life before they must dispose of their tyres. Retreading effectively remanufactures the tyre, enabling safe reuse rather than landfill or incineration. This circular approach not only benefits manufacturers and operators but is also more sustainable.
Premium Retreads Extend Tyre Life and Save Costs
In addition to delivering performance comparable to a brand-new tyre, premium retreads can be regrooved to extend their service life. In many cases, they can undergo a second or third retreading cycle, further increasing their mileage potential.
Pete Robb, Marketing Director at Continental, explains, “Many operators simply don’t realise the opportunities they’re missing when it comes to used tyres – both in recovering costs and reducing waste. 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, significantly extending tyre life and reducing waste. In the UK, its dedicated retreading plant, ContiLifeCycle in Ivybridge, Devon, has been pioneering sustainable tyre production and recycling since opening in 2016.
