Businesses urged to use ‘retread’ tyres

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is encouraging business to replace worn out tyres with retreads. These are tyres which have had their worn tread rubber replaced, extending their life, and can be up to 10% cheaper than new budget tyres.

Retread tyres are made using similar compounds to new tyres. They are legally required to be manufactured with the same performance criteria and safety standards as brand new tyres.

In its campaign, WRAP will be contacting CSR and fleet managers with advice on using retreads.

WRAP is focusing its campaign on promoting the use of retreads on light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Marketing project manager at WRAP, Jack Guinness, said that “The use of retread tyres on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) is already well established in the UK, but WRAP has identified a significant opportunity for encouraging their increased specification by those with responsibility for fleets of LCVs.

“By highlighting benefits of retreads and tackling misconceptions attached to their use, we can bring the opinions of key decision-makers up to date and persuade them to look at retreads in a new way.”

Director of the Retread Manufacturer’s Association David Wilson called retreads the “safe, reliable and green solution,” and added that they are “good value for money.”

Tesco and Argos are two of the well-known companies that have already made the switch to retreads.

More information can be found on the WRAP website, www.wrap.org.uk/tyres.