RHINO becomes the first known manufacturer of heavy-truck and trailer mudguards to achieve an independently verified product carbon footprint, confirming a 76% CO₂ reduction compared to virgin-plastic guards through recycled plastic innovation.
RHINO and industry partners mark the Toitū Envirocare verified carbon footprint milestone for recycled mudguards.
When it comes to reducing emissions, small changes can drive big results
When it comes to recycling and reducing carbon emissions, the transport industry isn’t usually the first sector that comes to mind.
But innovative transport manufacturer RHINO is helping change that — becoming the first known manufacturer of heavy-truck and trailer mudguards to obtain an independently verified carbon footprint for a mudguard.
The flagship black recycled-plastic guard has a 76% lower carbon footprint than guards made from virgin plastic.
Building a more sustainable future
RHINO has been manufacturing truck mudguards and fittings for nearly 40 years. Over the past five years, the business has added a strong sustainability focus to its portfolio — leading to the development of guards made from recycled plastic.
The company recently achieved Toitū Envirocare verification, in accordance with ISO 14067:2018, confirming the significant 76% carbon reduction figure.
Fonterra’s fleet features RHINO recycled plastic mudguards, verified under ISO 14067:2018 by Toitū Envirocare.
RHINO General Manager, Will Samuel, says the milestone is a team effort, achieved in collaboration with industry leaders Fonterra, Mainfreight, TR Group, TWL, and Vision Plastics.
“On the face of it, you may not expect recycled mudguards to make a big difference in reducing carbon emissions — but every little bit helps,” says Mr Samuel.
“Large transport companies are now accounting for every kilogram of CO₂-e, while regulations in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe require certain companies to report and, in some cases, reduce the carbon footprint of their trailers during manufacture.”
Verified results and proven durability
“By creating recycled products that stand up to tough conditions — and by developing a recycling ecosystem — we can contribute to a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions across the sector. Now, we have the evidence and data to back it up,” Samuel continues.
“We hear talk of industry using recycled material, but we don’t see much evidence. RHINO is planning for a future where recycled products are the norm, not the exception. All RHINO plastic mudguards meet strict performance criteria and include a UV additive to resist colour fading.”
RHINO began producing recycled truck mudguards in 2021 and has seen increasing demand as more fleets participate in recycling. The company undertook extensive modelling before completing the rigorous Toitū verification process.
“We believed we had the products, data, and aspirations to meet the Toitū requirements. It took a great deal of time and effort, but we’ve got there — and we’re proud of the results,” says Mr Samuel.
RHINO’s recycled mudguards deliver durability and verified carbon reductions.
From modelling to measurable impact
The lifecycle assessment follows a cradle-to-gate boundary, covering all stages from raw material extraction and processing through manufacturing and logistics. The verified carbon footprint includes delivery to New Zealand customers and, for Australia, to RHINO’s Melbourne warehouse.
The recycling initiative now extends across the ecosystem. Fonterra, TR Group, and TWL are among a growing number of companies who return mudguards for recycling and use recycled guards.
“Our sustainability efforts were inspired by Fonterra’s recycling initiatives. TR Group were the first to specify recycled mudguards, and TWL successfully piloted a collection system at branch level.
At the end of the day, manufacturers and suppliers like us need to contribute to ESG, sustainability and carbon-reduction efforts across the sector. It’s simply the right thing to do — and we hope others will explore their own ways to make a difference.”
Comments from industry partners
Guy Cooper, Fonterra National Parts and Warranty Manager:
“Sustainability is a priority for Fonterra and we’re delighted to be collaborating with RHINO on this initiative, with our first truck and trailer trialling the recycled guards this month.”
Shane O’Grady, TR Group National Sales Manager:
“We specified recycled guards across our fleet in 2021, and will continue to push our people and our suppliers to innovate to make a difference. It’s one part of our leadership in environmental sustainability and decarbonisation.”
Mike Brears, TWL National Sales and Operations Manager:
“We’re proud of the role we’ve played in helping customers recycle guards and access new products that not only perform, but are better for the environment.”
Sarah Bennison, Mainfreight Business Development Manager:
“We measure carbon emissions for deliveries and are thrilled to see that data incorporated into the verified carbon footprint for RHINO guards.”
Sally Spencer, Vision Plastics Director:
“We’ve invested in recycling capability to support the plastics industry’s future. This verified carbon footprint is a testament to what collaboration can achieve.”
Emily Dekker, Toitū Envirocare Sector Manager:
“Toitū provides rigorous, independent verification to organisations like RHINO who are committed to carbon transparency and accountability. We authenticate and verify carbon data accuracy, ensuring alignment with global best practices like ISO 14064.”
TR Group’s dual-fuel truck showcases RHINO’s recycled guards as part of the company’s sustainability leadership.
Verified data and ongoing progress
Note: Carbon verification undertaken on RHINO part number PL12063 was 76% for New Zealand and 77% for Australia. Part number PL12063 was chosen as the most common guard size in RHINO’s operating markets.
As featured in TRANSPORTTALK, NZ TRUCKING, NZ TRUCK & DRIVER, HVIA: RHINO’s recycled mudguards achieve 76% lower carbon emissions with independent verification by Toitū Envirocare.
See how RHINO is helping fleets decarbonise — one guard at a time.
