In South Africa, it is estimated that we have millions of waste tyres lying in dumps and stockpiles, or scattered across the country in residential, industrial and rural areas. Almost 10 million waste tyres are added to this number every year.

Tyres are designed to be tough and nearly indestructible, which is good when they are in use, but a problem when they reach the end of their working life.

While some waste tyres make their way to recycling facilities via formal and informal networks of collectors, many of them are burned for their scrap metal content, releasing toxic fumes and liquids in the process.

Before the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) started out a little over a year ago, used tyres were considered worthless waste and were piling up on landfills and in the veld.

The Redisa Plan was developed to address the waste tyre problem, in a manner that stimulates job creation and entrepreneurial development.

Read more here.