Everything you need to know about recycling truck tyres
Tyres - Trucks includes:
Rubber Tyres - Trucks
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Learn more about recycling truck tyres
How to recycle truck tyres
The life of truck tyres can be effectively extended through retreading or recycled rubber can be reused, reprocessed or hand crafted into new products, resulting in less waste and less environmental degradation.
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.
Truck tyres are suitable for retreading which enables the tyre to be reused a number of times and extend its usable life. Truck tyres can also be recycled.
- 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?
The benefits of recycling and using recovered rubber from tyres include:
- Reduced cost.
- Less energy used in the total production process compared to virgin material.
- Conserves non-renewable petroleum products (used in the production of synthetic rubbers).
- Recycled rubber has some properties that are better than those in virgin rubber.
Tyres must be managed responsibly, as they are a highly flammable material that can pose a risk to the community and surrounding environment.
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, brake pads and other rubber products. The 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.
Retreading
The retreading of a truck tyre involves placing the old tyre in a buffing machine to remove the remains of the old tread, followed by the removal by hand of material missed through buffing. The tyre is then inspected to repair defects and the holes in the tyre are filled with rubber, a cement gum adhesive applied and then placed on a machine which will apply a new tread.
Image credit: Tyre Stewardship Australia (image of new roads paved with road base containing tyres in Logan city Council)
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.
