The NEW LIFE initiative has been selected as one of the finalists for the prestigious Lammsbräu Prize for Sustainability 2025. The jury nominated NEW LIFE in the category "Entrepreneurial partnerships for a sustainable future" - in recognition of its strong, long-term commitment to a climate-friendly circular economy and the climate-friendly recycling of used tyres. Every vote counts for the Audience Award: https://www.lammsbraeu-publikumspreis.de
Network coordinator Christina Guth is "delighted with the nomination. It is both confirmation and an incentive for us to continue on the path of sustainable used tyre recycling together with our partners."
Pioneers of circular economy among themselves
Like NEW LIFE, Neumarkter Lammsbräu is one of the pioneers and drivers of the sustainable economy in Germany. In particular, the organic brewery promotes organic farming in Germany. Lammsbräu has awarded an annual sustainability prize since 2002. Selected organisations, companies and individuals receive the award for their commitment to a sustainable future. This year's award ceremony will take place on 3 July 2025 in Neumarkt/Oberpfalz. With the nomination, NEW LIFE also takes part in the Lammsbräu Audience Award - vote now: https://www.lammsbraeu-publikumspreis.de/
Circular economy is the answer to climate change
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 recycling loop at the end of their life cycle. Together with eight partners, NEW LIFE is committed to the climate-friendly recycling of used tyres that can no longer be repaired, recut or retreaded.
The textile fibres recycled from used tyres (approx. 10 percent of the tyre volume) have excellent insulating properties compared to rock or mineral wool, for example. Steel wire recycled from used tyres (approx. 15 percent) is an extremely pure steel that is ideally suited for remelting in steelworks. The rubber granulate/rubber powder (approx. 75 per cent) obtained from used tyre rubber is a valuable secondary raw material for the manufacture of a variety of high-quality recycled products.
Products made from tyre rubber granulate have a recycled content of up to 95%. Production saves 85% of CO2 emissions (without solvents and waste water!) compared to the manufacture of new products. The spectrum of high-quality products made from rubber granulate/rubber flour ranges from elastic (fall protection) flooring for playgrounds to flood protection and building protection for roofs with greenery/photovoltaics to noise protection and rubber-modified (whisper) asphalt.
Socio-economic benefits of recycling used tyres
The recycling of used tyres in Germany is mainly carried out by small and medium-sized companies with short transport routes and supply chains. It reduces dependence on raw material imports and has a positive socio-economic impact on the regional economy, such as securing jobs. As an AZuR partner at the NRW Circular Economy Round Table, NEW LIFE supports local authorities and companies in the implementation of circular economy projects.
NEW LIFE has set up a learning portal for vocational colleges and training companies in the landscaping, roofing and carpentry trades to teach young people, trainees and young adults about the importance of climate protection, environmental protection, the circular economy and recycling before they start their careers: https://t1p.de/SCHULE. NEW LIFE macht Schule offers free teaching materials for training and further education in the areas of environmental protection, circular economy, sustainability and recycling.
In 2023, around a third of the used tyres produced nationwide were recycled. This prevented around 166,000 tonnes of waste, conserved natural resources, kept valuable raw materials in the cycle and saved over 116,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is because every tonne of used tyres that is recycled (and not incinerated) saves around 700 kg of CO2 emissions.
