Online Reporter
IN a country that has struggled with waste management, old tyres, whether stacked in alleys, dumped in wetlands or burnt in open fields, pose a health risk and offer a business opportunity.
A small tyre recycling operation in the country may not sound glamorous, but its economics are surprisingly compelling.
To get started, the basics include a reliable site (at least 300 square metres), a basic shredder, a granulator and safety gear.
The upfront cost? Around US$20 000 for the bare minimum — most of it going towards used equipment imported from China or South Africa.
A local shredder alone costs between US$7 000 and US$10 000, depending on output capacity.
Labour is relatively affordable.
A small team of six — machine operators, a driver and two manual labourers — can run daily operations.
At Zimbabwean wage levels, that is a monthly bill of about US$1 500.
Electricity, however, is unpredictable.
A diesel generator is essential and adds at least US$3 000 to startup costs.
Operating it can burn through US$200 worth of fuel each week.
But the opportunity lies in the output.
Crumb rubber sells for up to US$0,40 per kilogramme in the local market, used for paving, mats and even playground surfaces.
A well-run small plant can process about 1,5 tonnes of tyres a day, yielding roughly 1 tonne of crumb.
That is a gross monthly income of around US$12 000, assuming consistent supply and demand.
Sourcing tyres is less of a problem than one might think.
Harare, for example, discards an estimated 1,2 million tyres annually, according to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
Informal networks of waste pickers and tyre fitment centres can feed the supply chain, often for free or at low collection fees.
Licensing remains a hurdle.
Entrepreneurs need a solid environmental impact assessment (costing between US$1 500 and US$3 000), plus licensing fees from EMA and the City of Harare.
Delays are common, and some operators admit to running informally to avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Still, the economics suggest a business with potential, not just to make money, but to chip away at a stubborn urban waste crisis.
