CM Shredders announced the successful commissioning of a high-capacity Tyre-Derived Aggregate (TDA) shredding system for EVIROPOL in Tahiti, marking a significant environmental achievement for the island nation
For a long time, just like many remote islands, Tahiti has faced increasing pressure from the amount of used and discarded tyres. Thousands of tyres had been left in open storage or informal dumps due to the limited landfill space and high transportation costs, creating environmental hazards.
EVIROPOL, a Tahiti-based environmental services company, partnered with CM Shredders to bring tyre recycling solutions to the island. The newly installed CM High-Capacity TDA system converts tyres into tyre-derived aggregate, which is used as a lightweight, free-draining substitute for natural stone in civil engineering projects.
The new system represents the first large-scale tyre recycling installation in French Polynesia and it can process up to 10 tonnes of tyres per hour. Built around CM’s H-250 shredder technology, the system is designed to operate efficiently even in remote island conditions with limited logistics and energy reliability.
“The commissioning of this system is a remarkable achievement for both EVIROPOL and the Tahitian community,” said Mario Vazquez, Sales & Marketing Director of CM Shredders. “For islands like Tahiti, where every resource must be managed carefully and where nature is both an asset and a responsibility, this project demonstrates how circular economy principles can thrive even in the most geographically challenging locations. We’re proud to see EVIROPOL leading the way with a vision that balances sustainability, innovation, and local economic value.”
TDA is also being integrated into several island infrastructure projects, such as road base layers, stormwater drainage systems and slope stabilisation works.
According to Thomas Mireau, Responsable Technique et Développement at EVIROPOL, the project is a breakthrough in local sustainability: “For many years, Tahiti struggled with what to do with its growing stockpile of used tyres. Exporting them was expensive and unsustainable. With CM’s system, we can now process and reuse these materials locally. The TDA we produce not only reduces waste but also directly contributes to the island’s development and environmental protection. It’s a perfect example of innovation serving the community.”
The initiative is expected to create local employment opportunities and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors on future recycling initiatives.
“This project illustrates the power of localised recycling,” added Vazquez. “What EVIROPOL is doing here in Tahiti can serve as a model for other island nations across the Pacific, the Caribbean, and beyond—turning what was once a costly environmental burden into a valuable asset for infrastructure and community development.”
