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TSA News > Time to stop dumping used tyres with dodgy overseas operators
Time to stop dumping used tyres with dodgy overseas operators
1 March 2019
Used Australian tyres are being dumped overseas with little regard for how they are recycled or disposed of.
As an industry-led product stewardship program, established by leading tyre importers, Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) is keen to find a solution for end-of-life tyres. Today, TSA remains a voluntary scheme, made up of representatives from across the tyre supply chain including the tyre retailers, manufacturers, recyclers and collectors.
“A recent audit of where some of our recyclers send the tyres they collect, has revealed some red flags,” said the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of TSA, Lina Goodman.
“Whilst it is inevitable that some used tyres will be sold overseas, we want Australian tyre recyclers & collectors to be more vigilant and responsible about where they send their product.
“Although TSA does not have the authority to regulate these markets, we do want to help our participants make informed choices – choices that are safer for the environment and society.”
The recent audit uncovered a number of concerning practices:
- Product sold to overseas businesses with undesirable health and safety practices; including dilapidated buildings and questionable emergency exits.
- Product being stored in an unsafe manner, conducive of fire and other health- related concerns.
- Product being used in a way that could harm the environment such as burning or offloading to other destinations outside of the known supply chain end-point.
TSA engaged Intertek, a global total quality assurance organisation, to assist with the verification of the downstream process of end-of-life tyres. With over 130-years’ experience, Intertek was well placed to work with TSA in identifying high risk destinations.
Intertek’s General Manager Australasia, Benjamin Rieck, said “Intertek is committed to a partnership with TSA in furthering the development of the scheme, to provide valuable and actionable insights into the end-of-life tyre export, distribution and processing through covering a range of crucial aspects, including; Distribution, Environmental, Health and Safety, Modern Slavery and broader social responsibility and compliance aspects”.
TSA cannot direct Australian recyclers to send their product to specific overseas operators, but it can revoke the membership of non-compliant participants.
“The guiding foundation of the product stewardship scheme is that all members must use only accredited TSA collectors and recyclers. A revoked membership implies profound commercial consequences precluding offenders from doing business with other TSA accredited parties,” Ms Goodman said.
As a result of these recent findings, TSA is reviewing the product stewardship scheme to ensure greater transparency in downstream processes for end-of-life tyres.
Each year, Australians generate about 56 million used tyres; it is the aim of the Product Stewardship Scheme to help expand Australia’s tyre recycling industry and support the creation of more markets for tyre derived products like equine tracks, crumb rubber roads and permeable paving. TSA has to date committed $4 Million to the development of sustainable end markets for tyre-derived products within Australia.
“We are working hard to support these emerging markets but in the meantime, we need to do more to help our participants find and use reputable overseas recyclers.”
“It’s all about creating more sustainable outcomes for Australia’s end-of-life tyres. Let’s keep them away from landfill, illegal dumping and unaccountable export markets,” Ms Goodman said.