Collecting used tyres in Finland

Approximately 3,3 million tyres, or 37,000 tons, are discarded in Finland every year. A group of tyre industry companies, including Nokian Tyres, established Suomen Rengaskierrätys Oy, a company that recycles discarded tyres for further utilisation on a centralised and nationwide basis. The recycling of discarded tyres is financed by a recycling fee added to the purchase price of new tyres, which means that it is covered by the actual tyre users.

  

Utilization of used tyres

In Finland, the tyre recycling rate is at a high level compared with other countries. In Finland, nearly 100% of tyres are recycled, whereas in Europe only 60% are recycled and the remaining amount becomes landfill waste. Most of the recycled tyres are used as material, i.e. they are crushed and granulated for earth construction purposes. In Finland, energy utilisation is at a low level compared with other European countries. If the tyre frame is intact, a passenger car tyre can be retreaded once, and bus and truck tyres as many as 2-4 times. For more information about tyre recycling, see the website of Suomen Rengaskierrätys Oy at www.rengaskierratys.com.