Media release - 20 January
2014 - Today the Federal Government launched
a significant new Product Stewardship Scheme
to help tackle the significant environmental
challenges arising from used tyres.
Every year in Australia
around 48 million tyres reach their end
of life. At the moment most old tyres are
land-filled, stockpiled, exported or illegally
dumped. This poses serious health and environmental
risks.
This new industry initiative
aims to increase domestic tyre recycling,
support new technologies, expand the market
for tyre-derived products and reduce the
number of end-of-life tyres ending up in
landfill or illegal dumps.
Tyres are a valuable
commodity with great potential to be utilised
at end of life in a range of applications.
Recycled tyres can be used to make new rubber
products, in roads and pavements, and in
sporting fields and playgrounds.
Old tyres can also be
used as an alternative fuel source for producers
of energy and cement.
Stakeholders across
the tyre supply chain, including tyre and
vehicle importers, retailers, fleet operators,
local governments, collectors, recyclers
and the mining industry will participate
in the new scheme.
Major type importers
Continental, Goodyear Dunlop, Michelin,
Pirelli, Toyo and Yokohama have provided
the initial funding to get the scheme started.
As part of this major
new agreement, participants in the scheme
will commit to only working with others
who support environmentally sound end of
life management of tyres. These commitments
will be supported by an audit program and
education products about best practice will
be developed.
The scheme will also
support new technology and ways to develop
stronger domestic markets for tyre derived
products to strengthen the demand for local
tyre recycling.
The tyre industry has
established a company called Tyre Stewardship
Australia (TSA) to administer the new scheme,
to be chaired by Mr Gerry Morvell.
The work of Tyre Stewardship
Australia will complement important efforts
of state and territory governments who are
working to ensure that those who handle
and dispose of tyres are doing so responsibly
and in accordance with the law.
