Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) manage the national Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme (TPSS). The scheme promotes the development of viable markets for tyre-derived products.
The arrangement provides a pathway to reducing the environmental, health and safety impacts of end-of-life tyres.
TSA is committed to:
- transforming end-of-life tyres into useful products
- creating new industries and employment opportunities
- reducing the environmental harm caused by illegal dumping.
Benefits
The scheme will deliver benefits for individual participants, the tyre industry and the community. It will:
- increase the use of a resource stream currently being disposed of
- reduce the number of tyres not going to an environmentally sound use
- enhance the Australian recycling industry and sustainable markets to reuse end-of-life tyres and tyre derived products
- increase capacity to handle end-of-life tyres in Australia
- create new markets for end-of-life tyres and tyre derived products through research and development
- improve the business environment, particularly for tyre collectors and recyclers
- increase consumer awareness of the impacts of end-of-life tyre disposal
- enhance credibility for the tyre industry who can demonstrate leadership in environmental management and adopt corporate social responsibility strategies.
Levy-paying contributors
Tyre Stewardship Australia is supported by the financial commitment of:
- 8 global tyre brands; Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear/Dunlop, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Toyo and Yokohama
- 3 auto brands; Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen.
How the system works
TSA is funded by the 8 tyre brands and participating auto-brands. The levy received ($0.25 per Equivalent Passenger Unit sold) is used to administer the scheme.
The scheme’s objectives are to generate new, sustainable markets for end-of-life tyres. While also ensuring that end-of-life tyres do not cause environmental or social harm.
In order to meet its objectives, TSA runs a National Market Development Program. To date, it has committed over $6M to projects. These projects aim to increase the consumption of tyre-derived material.
TSA’s accreditation and compliance program has 1,700 participants. Participants commit to meet the scheme guidelines. This ensures end-of-life tyres are managed in a sustainable manner. It mitigates against illegal dumping and storage.
Find an accredited tyre recycler.
Find accredited recyclers or collectors.
Recycling and reuse
TSA accredited recyclers and collectors will service the tyre retail market. Over 300,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres are collected annually. Through recycling, the components are separated and processed into crumbs, granules or shredded. Steel from the tyres is also extracted for future use.
These tyre derived products can be used for purposes such as:
- crumbed rubber asphalt for improved road durability
- permeable urban paving to reduce run off and provide water to surrounding trees
- athletic tracks
- noise and acoustic barriers
Each year the scheme works towards these ambitious goals:
- increased use of Australian tyre derived products within Australia, including replacing imports of these products
- increased Australian capacity to manage end-of-life tyres in an environmentally sustainable manner
- growth in the number of organisations across the tyre industry participating in the scheme
- increased commercialisation of TSA’s market development projects generating employment opportunities and new products utilising end-of-life tyres.
How can industries take part?
If you import tyres or vehicles, you can become a voluntary scheme levy-paying member. You will assume some financial responsibility for disposing of the products you place on the market.
TSA can accredit tyre retailers, collectors and recyclers. All are committed to supporting the objectives of the scheme.
Recyclers and collectors
If you collect and recycle end-of-life tyres, you can become accredited. To do so you will need to show how you comply with environmental, occupational health and safety laws.
To maintain your accreditation, you will be audited each year. This ensures you continue to meet the scheme’s requirements. Key areas of compliance include:
- Data exchange
- using an EHS management systems
- tyre storage
- fire safety
- emergency response.
To find out more, read the:
Retailers
Retailers who dispose of end-of-life tyres are committed to using only legitimate, TSA-accredited recyclers and collectors. Using an accredited service provider gives confidence that end-of-life tyres are managed in a sustainable way.
To find out more, read the:
Fleets and local councils
Some major fleets and local councils are also committed to the principles of the scheme. They:
- only use accredited providers for the disposal of their tyres
- support participating retailers and importers when purchasing new stock
- seek Australian TDP for roads, playing surfaces and parks and gardens.
How to apply
To become an accredited participant, email getonboard@tyrestewardship.org.au for more details.
Projects
TSA facilitates the development of markets for Australian tyre-derived product (TDP). Over the past 5 years, more than $6million has been committed to increasing the consumption of TDP.
The TSA Market Development Fund supports a wide range of technologies, research and manufacturing processes that use end-of-life tyres generated in Australia. The fund aims to deliver products to both well-established and emerging end markets. These will be able to absorb larger volumes of tyre material over the longer term.
The key to establishing a strong market for TDP rests on helping commercial organisations reach a point where they can independently supply large and stable markets with competitive products that contain tyre derived materials.
The initiatives funded by TSA prove its commitment to drive a comprehensive, national program to significantly increase the development and penetration of TDP in Australia.
See:
Read more
The TSA website provides information about the scheme and the tyre recycling industry.
See the TSA Knowledge Hub for reports and guidance.
Find education and awareness resources:
- Funding of Market Development Initiatives
- Recycling/retail handbooks
- Search brands, retailers, recyclers
- Modern Slavery Impact Statement
- Annual Reports
- Strategic Plan
- TSA News
Contact details
Marissa Johnston
Business Communications Manager, TSA
Phone: 03 9977 7820
Email: Marissa.Johnston@tyrestewardship.org.au
Website: www.tyrestewardship.org.au
Lina Goodman
Chief Executive Officer, TSA
Email: ceo@tyrestewardship.org.au
Phone: 03 9977 7820
Annual reports
We publish TSA annual reports under the scheme. We will publish annual reports after reviewing them. We will publish future annual reports here.