A Canterbury engineer may have found a way to save lives and the environment at the same time.

The university lecturer is working towards a solution to affordably quake-proof homes with recycled tyres.

More than 3.5 million tyres are destined for landfills, illegally disposed of or unaccounted for each year in New Zealand.

Gabriele Chiaro told Mike Hosking re-using them for large-scale engineering projects like this would have huge environmental benefits.

"They are a great source of building material and most important they can be used to provide strength in buildings."

LISTEN ABOVE AS GABRIELE CHIARO SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING