Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) envisions a sector where resources from end-of-life tyres (EOLT) are used as feedstock for new value-added products, boosting new industries, creating new jobs and finding alternate uses for this valuable resource.
To support their vision of a circular economy for EOLT, as well as government policy for Australia to take responsibility for its own waste, including the ReMade in Australia recycling campaign – TSA is proud to launch its Circular Economy Collaborator program.
TSA Chief Executive Officer Lina Goodman said it came as the waste export ban on whole used tyres (including baled tyres) which started 1 December 2021 brought the need and opportunities for the increased material onshore to be utilised in the domestic market.
“This program recognises those organisations that are playing a vital role in consuming tyre derived material in Australia, and is a significant step forward to help protect our local crumb market,” she said.
Using bespoke manufacturing technology, A1 Rubber uses stripped rubber from old tyres to form new Australian made rubber flooring products. A1 Rubber is one of the first organisations to get on board to be recognised as a TSA Circular Economy Collaborator.
A1 Rubber Chief Executive Officer John Randel has experienced first-hand the impacts to his business from the vagaries of the crumb rubber sector.
“Government has responded to the pressures of using our own waste with a ban on the export of whole and baled tyres,” he said.
“We can help turn processed used tyres into value added products. But for this to work, there needs to be a ban on the importation of manufactured goods containing crumb rubber, if we can re-manufacture and remake these products locally, then this needs to be supported.”
A TSA Circular Economy Collaborator’s activities align with the TSA vision of contributing to a sustainable society – which keeps tyre-derived products and materials circulating in the economy and regenerating. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy wherever possible.
Ms Goodman noted the benefits of recognition under this program: “Approved organisations may benefit from connection opportunities with the tyre supply chain to increase and enhance sustainable outcomes for EOLT, as well as promotion of their products and projects to the marketplace and wider industry and community (including government bodies)”.
She said organisations could apply now to become a TSA Circular Economy Collaborator in one of three categories (Manufacturer / End User / Researcher) via an online application form available on their website.
Upon obtaining recognition, organisations will support TSA with important data that will inform a road map to increase the uptake of Australian tyre derived material over imported crumb over time.
ABOUT TYRE STEWARDSHIP AUSTRALIA
Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) was established in 2014 to implement the national Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme (TSS), an ACCC authorised industry framework to reduce the environmental, health and safety impacts of the 56 million Equivalent Passenger Units (EPUs) which reach the end of their life in Australia each year.
TSA’s vision is of a circular economy for EOL tyres which contributes to a sustainable society.
It works to drive sustainable outcomes for EOL tyres in Australia, by:
• accrediting participants, including tyre retailers, manufacturers, recyclers and collectors, who are committed to supporting the objectives of the Scheme
• investing in market development initiatives including research and development, and commercialisation, of new productive uses for EOL tyres
• driving the transformation of a waste product into a useful commodity, creating new industries and jobs while reducing the environmental harm caused by the illegal dumping of old tyres
For more information about Australia’s Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme and TSA:
