Retired tyres
Australia generated about 545,000 tonnes of used tyres in the 2022-23 financial year. This is equivalent to about 68 million passenger car tyres.
These figures were collated by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), an Australian Government accredited, not-for-profit organisation comprised of tyre importers, retailers and recyclers.
TSA is financially supported by 13 tyre brands and three carmakers, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen.
The organisation’s main goal is to increase the number of used tyres that are recycled instead of going to waste. This includes accrediting tyre fitters and recyclers who handle used tyres responsibly, as well as funding projects that develop recycled tyre products.
TSA stats showed that last financial year only about 320,000 used tyres were recovered for recycling, re-treading or repair, leaving a whopping 225,000 tonnes as waste. These discarded tyres are stockpiled, illegally dumped or end up in landfill.
While 77 per cent of car, bus and truck tyres were recovered, only 8 per cent of off-the-road (OTR) tyres – used mainly for mining and agriculture – were salvaged. TSA believes the size and structure of OTR tyres makes them difficult to process and is investigating recycling options.
Most of the tyres recovered in Australia (about 70 per cent) were exported, mainly in shredded form for use as industrial fuel for boilers, paper mills and cement kilns in Asia.
In December 2021, the Australian Government implemented a ban on the export of unprocessed, whole used tyres as part of the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020. The intention of the Act is to reduce the environmental impact on developing countries that dispose of our waste, and encourage Australian industry to take more responsibility for recycling.
There are some exceptions to the ban and export licences can be applied for.
What’s in a tyre?
Car tyres are made from a mix of synthetic rubber polymers and natural rubber. Other ingredients include sulphur and zinc oxide for curing, antioxidants and antiozonants for protection against the elements, silica and carbon black (a fossil fuel product) for strength, a range of textiles, and steel wire for the belts and beads.
While this sturdy construction provides durability and longevity, it can take a few centuries for discarded tyres to fully decompose.
Recycled tyre products
Tiny tyre fragments known as crumb rubber are mixed with asphalt for road surfacing to improve road durability and noise absorption.
Concrete combined with crumb rubber has been used in the development of temporary road safety barriers, helping absorb some of the impact on vehicles.
Up to 60 per cent of crumb rubber mixed with crushed rock can be laid down as permeable pathways and tree surrounds.
Their absorbent quality allows water to soak through to the soil rather than create runoff erosion, while flexibility reduces damage caused by tree roots.
Crumb rubber is also used to make door ramps to provide easier wheelchair access.
Slightly larger than crumbs, rubber granules are used in the production of synthetic sports field surfaces.
Tyres cut into sections and woven together have become handy stock mats for cattle, providing a soft, non-slip surface underfoot.
Tyres fitted into steel bales are also used in the construction of retaining walls.
How you can help
TSA figures reveal that the percentage of automotive tyres recovered for recycling has decreased by 13 per cent since a high of 90 per cent in 2019-20.
Motorists can do their part to improve this figure by choosing a TSA-accredited tyre retailer.
Taking care of your car tyres is another way of reducing the number of tyres heading for landfill.
- Monitor tyre pressure regularly.
- Rotate tyres as per your vehicle owner’s manual.
- Check with you tyre specialist if you have any handling or ride issues – wheel alignment and/or balance might need attention.