Circular tyre economy on the brink of collapse: saviours sought for the future of the circular economy

In response to climate change, it is now more important than ever to avoid waste, use products for as long as possible and efficiently keep raw materials in the material cycle at the end of their life cycle. Circular economy must become the driver for environmental and climate protection.

One successful model for the ecologically and economically beneficial implementation of a circular economy based on the cradle-to-cradle principle is the recycling of used tyres. Over 42 per cent of the used tyres produced in Germany were recycled in 2022. As a result, around 225,000 tonnes of waste were avoided, natural resources were conserved, raw materials were kept in the cycle and over 150,000 tonnes of CO₂-emissions can be saved.

Unfortunately, the COP29 climate summit did not deliver what would have been necessary to respond to the climate crisis. The National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS) adopted by the Federal Cabinet on 4 December 2024 also remains too vague and unambitious in many respects. This jeopardises the consistent expansion of the circular economy.

NEW LIFE is therefore taking the initiative with an appeal to politicians to secure the future of the circular economy and save the circular tyre economy from collapse, which incidentally does not require any government subsidies or funding: https://initiative-new-life.de/nachhaltigkeit/klimaretter/