Go ‘Greener’, Save Money And Retread Instead

It is no secret that the environment and our impact on it is a hot topic among courier driver circles, and I think we all agree that going green is the only option if our businesses are to survive into the next generation. We cannot deny that, unfortunately, our industry poses a serious problem when it comes to emissions, and it is up to every individual to do something about it.

The great news for every courier driver out there is that even small changes you make to your business and your vehicles can make a huge difference to the environment. Not only that but, in some instances, the changes you make could save you a few quid too. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to save a penny or two where they can?

Retread = Reduce, Reuse and Recycle 

For any courier driver or business owner in this industry, one of the biggest expenses is the tyres. There is no doubt that miles on the road add up to more visits to the tyre shop and, if the very mention of replacing them makes you twitchy, then you should definitely consider retreading. The idea is simple and very kind, not only to the environment, but to your wallet too!

What Do the Stats Say?

The figures don’t lie and when you consider that retreading a tyre uses 80% less raw materials than producing a new one would, you can assume correctly that you are going to save money. Less oil (68 litres less) and less rubber (44kg less) per unit adds up to big savings when it comes to your outgoings. In fact, retreading costs a fraction of what buying a new one would cost, and the truth is you could save up to 70%.

While the financial savings are not to be sniffed at, every retread reduces the emission of CO2 into our atmosphere by 183kg. This is a significant amount and I defy any courier driver to admit that this would give them a much clearer environmental conscience.

What About the Quality of Retreading?

Of course, as with most things that seem too good to be true there has to be a catch. In this instance, however, the catch is only a small one that is certainly not insurmountable.

Not all tyres (and particularly the cheaper ones) lend themselves to retreading, but while the initial outlay for a premium brand might be more than that for a ‘single life’ one, you will use fewer and be able to retread, rather than replace. Is this not an argument for investing in a quality product from the outset?

Buying decent tyres from the off is definitely going to save any courier driver money in the long run, and also make them feel much better about their impact on our long suffering environment.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Courier Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Courier Exchange provides services for matching same day courier driver jobs, and is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.