Tyres are set to be turned into industrial fuel, concrete mix and even roading as part of the country's first ever national recycling scheme.

The Government backed scheme called Tyrewise will let tyre shops and members of the public get rid of them for free.

At the moment, just 40 percent of the 6.5 million tyres imported into the country, are recycled.

The scheme will be managed by sustainability group 3R.

CEO Adele Rose says it's a much better option than having them illegally dumped or ending up in landfill.

She says it will reduce the cost and damage of tyre fires substantially.

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