Everything you need to know about recycling tyres
Tyres - Passenger Vehicles includes:
Passenger tyres
Vehicle tyres
Tires
Motorcycle tyres
Car tyres
Truck tyres
Rubber tyres
Bike tyres
Bicycle tyres
FIND A RECYCLER
Learn more about recycling tyres at work
How to recycle tyres at work
Tyres are a valuable source of rubber that can be reused or recycled to prevent litter, avoid fire hazards, save energy and prevent against environmental contamination.
Waste tyres can be reused and recycled in a variety of ways, from creating collision reduction barriers, as an alternate fuel source and in road construction as a constituent in asphalt roads. There are many companies in Australia that offer convenient tyre recycling services.
•Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you.
•To find recyclers that have been accredited through Tyre Stewardship Australia, search their directory of recyclers and collectors.
Why recycle?
Each year in Australia the equivalent of 56 million?passenger tyres reach their end of life. Putting old tyres in landfill is unsustainable, so we must find new ways to reuse, repurpose, and recycle the materials.
Recycling old tyres:
•Protects our environment from hazardous waste
•Lessens the strain on our natural resources
•Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the demand for new resources
•Prevents fires caused by stockpiled tyres?(and the release of toxic gases if set alight)
•Prevents long-term land contamination due to the disposal of tyres in landfill
While most tyre retailers are doing the right thing, 20% of old automotive tyres are dumped, buried, stockpiled, sent to landfill, or hidden in warehouses, on industrial sites, unsuspecting landowners' properties, and even national parks. Dumping used tyres illegally or in landfill is a waste of resources.
Tyres must be managed responsibly, as they are a highly flammable material that can pose a risk to the community and surrounding environment.
Source: Tyre Stewardship Australia
What happens to them?
Recycling: Tyres are a mixture of many different ingredients. Apart from rubber, tyres contain steel, fibre, carbon and oil. During recycling processes, tyres are shredded and crumbed so they can be used in the manufacture of soft fall surfaces, artificial turf, conveyer belts, road base, brake pads and other rubber products. Tyre Stewardship Australia aims to not only increase domestic tyre recycling but to expand the market for tyre-derived products and support the development of new technologies such as Pyrolysis.
Energy recovery: Waste tyres can be used as an alternative fuel source for industries such as producers of energy and cement. When tyres are incinerated at high temperatures hydrocarbons are released which can yield substantial quantities of energy. However, this process is not currently widespread in Australia as it can require investment in new technology.
Image of new roads paved with road base containing tyres in Logan city Council. Image credit: Tyre Stewardship Australia
Tyre Stewardship Australia
Tyre Stewardship Australia is a non-commercial organisation created to implement the national Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to improve outcomes for end-of-life tyres by increasing both the recovery rate of tyres in Australia and the use of recycled tyres (tyre-derived material) in Australian products.
The scheme is funded by the industry, but it is not compulsory, which is why it’s so important for consumers to be informed. In 2023, the 13 tyre importers funding the scheme represented approximately 57% of the market. You can use your purchasing power to support retailers and manufacturers that are taking responsibility for their products.
When it’s time to change the tyres on your vehicle, choose brands that contribute to the stewardship scheme. Search Tyre Stewardship Australia’s MyTyres MyChoice directory to find tyre and auto brands that contribute 25c per equivalent passenger tyre to Australia’s product stewardship scheme.
If you are using a tyre retailer that you think is doing the right thing but isn’t accredited, encourage them to contact Tyre Stewardship Australia. The scheme is free for retailers to join.
Image credit: Tyre Stewardship Australia
Recycling other car parts
Car batteries
Used car batteries and other lead-acid batteries are hazardous waste and should be disposed of responsibly through commercial recyclers.
Cars and car parts
Car recycling is one of the oldest forms of recycling. Ever since cars were invented, companies have existed to salvage the metal and spare parts in dead cars. Car parts must be taken to or picked up by a recycler.
Motor oil
Used motor oil, or 'sump oil', is a hazardous waste item. Used oil should be taken to a designated collection point or picked up by a commercial recycler so it can be cleaned and reused.
Oil filters
Oil filters are classified as liquid waste and cannot be placed in landfill. Filters retain considerable amounts of oil which carries a number of toxins and can contaminate the soil and waterways. They should be recycled to recover oil and valuable metal.
