New Zealand is a country renowned for its clean, green image. But activists say tyre disposal is one of the biggest chinks in our environmental armour.
At this year's budget, Minister for the Environment Dr Nick Smith acknowledged the issue and invested $19 million into two companies, Waste Management New Zealand and Golden Bay Cement, to establish a tyre recycling network.
The Minister says it will stop tyres being dumped in landfills but Community Recycling Network chairman Marty Hoffart says it's not enough.
"This announcement from the Minister isn't going to change any illegal dumping, Mr Hoffart says. "People can still show up to a tyre shop and haul tyres away for a dollar, and dump them down the nearest gully, river or stream.
"It isn't going to stop people from cutting up tyres and throwing them in skip bins, if it's a cheaper way to dispose of them."