Water company United Utilities has teamed up with Direct Tyre Management on a new scheme to convert old vehicle tyres into useful products.

Every waste tyre goes through a unique process to turn the rubber casings into playground safety surfaces and synthetic sports sufaces. The steel belt and bead wire from the typres is remelted to produce manhole covers, among other items.

Tony Edwards, from United Utilities' supply chain team, was instrumental in setting up the partnership scheme. He said:

"We've been looking at ways to make our supply chain more sustainable and this is a great example of how a problem waste stream can be turned into something with real value.

"Every part of the tyre is reused in some way, meaning there is zero landfill. The steel finds its way back onto the region's roads in the shape of manhole covers over our sewers and water pipes, and the rubber bounces back as a safety surface for use under outdoor play equipment. We even use the textile content of the tyres for equestrian arenas. This scheme has created a true closed-loop recycling system."

The water company has a fleet of 1411 vans, wagons and tankers and replaces around 52 tonnes of tyres a year.

Steve Richardson of Direct Tyre Management added:

"We are delighted to be working with United Utilities to give 'end of life' tyre casings a new lease of life. Finding sustainable ways of dealing with used tyre casings is vital, and this partnership scheme is a shining example of just what can be achieved, with the right level of commitment and imagination."

John Bamwell, Commercial and Operations Director for Charles Lawrence International, who convert the recycled tyres into new, usable materials said:

"This is an inspiring scheme, and one we are very pleased to be a part of. Every part of the tyre is reused, and the reprocessing itself is as green as possible, by using only electrical energy to reduce and separate constituent parts."

United Utilities is the only water company to feature in the prestigious 2010 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index - which identifies the top 250 companies world-wide on the basis of economic, environmental and social criteria. The company is also a platinum plus member of Business in the Community.