Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA) on Monday raised concern that waste tyre pollution is a serious threat to the environment.
Image: File Jason Boud
The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA) on Monday raised concern that waste tyre pollution is a serious threat to the environment.
REDISA said that a Waste Tyre Management Plan by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has been in the works but is yet to materialise.
“The continued delay carries real environmental and economic costs. Waste tyres remain in the system, depots are overflowing and any potential waste industry investors remain unable to move at scale without regulatory certainty.”
REDISA added that waste tyre pollution is a serious problem that poisons groundwater, fuels dangerous fires which release toxic emissions, and burdens already strained waste systems - posing serious long-term public health risks.
“Waste collectors and transporters are left without jobs, as there is no functional system.
“During the recent consultation on a future plan, held with industry on 29 of April, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) said it recorded R774 million in tyre levy collections for 2024/25, with R403.58m allocated to tyre management, while only 48 926 tons of waste tyres were processed against estimated waste generation of around 240 000 tonnes,” added REDISA.
REDISA said that the latest Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan process did little to reassure the industry.
“Instead of presenting a clear plan, the session was largely a presentation on how the withdrawn 2024 plan would be updated - followed by a request for stakeholders to submit written comments by Friday, 8 May 2026 to “inform the drafting” of the plan, to be followed by another round of comments.”
Stacey Davidson of REDISA said that this is not a circular economy. It is just a circular process.
“The industry is being asked to keep commenting while waste tyres keep piling up.”
REDISA added that South Africa has required a workable waste tyre plan since REDISA was unlawfully removed as waste tyre manager by the Zuma government in 2017.
“The new planning process began in 2019, a plan was published in March 2024, withdrawn in 2025, and a new six-month update process is now under way. This means the sector remains trapped in planning mode while recyclers, processors and collectors wait for the certainty needed to raise funding, invest in plants, expand capacity and create jobs.”
REDISA said the waste tyre sector does not need another plan to make a plan.
“It needs an implementable system with a budget, clear roles, credible data, enforceable timeframes and operational accountability. The withdrawn 2024 plan was previously criticised for not meeting the basic requirements, including proper budgeting, timing, responsibilities and reliable data.”
Davidson said that South Africa has already seen a waste tyre system work.
“REDISA grew recycling rates from 4% to 55% between 2013 and 2017. The country does not lack experience. It lacks the political and administrative will to finalise a practical plan. We call on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to stop recycling the same failed process and urgently produce a funded, practical and enforceable Industry Waste Tyre Management Plan.”
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) was approached for comment and said that they would respond accordingly.
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