Today, Vaculug has submitted a formal response to the Cabinet Office consultation, Public Procurement: Growing British Industry, Jobs, and Skills. The submission calls for a mandate requiring public sector fleets to use retreaded tyres. A policy change that will deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits while bolstering the UK’s domestic manufacturing sector.
The Submission
Vaculug’s submission, the first of its kind, highlights that retreaded tyres offer a significant opportunity for government fleets to cut costs and meet sustainability targets. Retread tyres are manufactured to the same safety standards as new ones.
The submission argues that mandating retreads would:
- Reduce Costs: Retreaded tyres can cost up to 50% less than comparable new tyres, potentially saving the public sector millions annually. The extended life of a retreaded tyre, which can be reused multiple times, also results in a 30-50% lower cost per mile over its lifetime.
- Boost UK Industry: The UK’s tyre retreading industry is an important part of the nation’s circular economy, contributing an estimated £230 million to the economy and supporting over 5,500 skilled jobs. The policy would create a stable, long-term market for the sector and reduce reliance on imported goods.
- Deliver Environmental Gains: Retreading is a highly sustainable practice. The process uses 70% less raw material than manufacturing a new tyre, with a single retread saving around 68 kg of landfill waste. It also reduces energy consumption by 68% and prevents an estimated 115 kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere per tyre.
Jorge Crespo, UK Managing Director of Vaculug, said: “Mandating retreaded tyres in public procurement is a win-win-win for the economy, the environment and the UK’s industrial base. Britain is behind the international curve on this one. It isn’t just a cost-cutting measure; this would be a strategic policy realignment to match the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, support thousands of skilled jobs in British manufacturing and position this government as a leader in sustainable public procurement. It is a cost-free policy change that simply requires amendments to the procurement paperwork. The evidence is clear, and the international precedent is well-established. Now is the time for the UK to make the change.”
