Funded project – Sustainable Tyre Disposal

Background

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) is actively addressing the issue of end-of-life tyres (EOLTs) in regional and remote areas of Victoria. This project aimed to tackle the problem of EOLTs being disposed of in regional and rural landfills or through illegal dumping.

To achieve this, TSA had undertaken stakeholder mapping to identify and engage with regional operators and local governments. This engagement identified the current capacities and collection options available in these areas.

The project includes a comprehensive report that outlines baseline data, details of stakeholder engagement, feasibility assessments, and the results of the audit and trial phases. This report provides valuable insights in the current challenges and presents potential opportunities for addressing the issue of EOLTs in regional and remote Victoria.

The objectives of the project were to:

• improve the understanding of end-of-life tyres (EOLTs) in regional Victoria
• develop circular economy solutions for EOLTs in regional Victoria
• reduce costs to sustainably manage EOLTs in regional Victoria
• understand the opportunities to leverage other product stewardship programs logistics
• increase recycling of tyres from regional Victoria by reducing landfilling and stock piling.

Process

TSA initiated a project with the objective of identifying and testing solutions for end-of-life tyres (EOLTs) in regional Victoria. The project activities encompassed several key components:

• Comprehensive desktop research was conducted to analyse and justify the selection of trial locations. The research revealed significant insights, such as Shepparton having the highest volume of collected EOLTs, Mildura having the longest transport distance to recyclers, and Warrnambool handling smaller load sizes.
• TSA engaged in a process of thorough engagement, due diligence, and risk assessment to ensure that the chosen locations and potential project partners met the required health and safety standards. This evaluation revealed that Mildura and Warrnambool were not suitable partners for the project, resulting in the cancellation of trials in these locations.
• The project successfully developed and executed the trial in Shepparton. Details regarding the specific nature of the trial were not provided, but the focus was on implementing and evaluating innovative approaches for managing EOLTs in this region.
• Throughout the project, comprehensive tracking and reporting were conducted both to Sustainability Victoria and internally within TSA. These reporting mechanisms ensured transparency, accountability, and effective monitoring of the project's progress.

Unforeseen obstacles arising from these barriers significantly impacted the execution, outcomes, and timeline of the trials, underscoring the dynamic and challenging nature of the tyre industry and emphasizing the importance of adaptability and contingency planning in future projects.

The project underscored the significance of considering identified barriers, understanding the state of tyre distribution and recycling, and recognising the specific challenges in regional Victoria. It also highlighted the need to adapt practices to align with evolving recycling industry standards, address logistics as a primary barrier, and carefully evaluate potential processing cost increases if on-site de-baling is pursued.

Challenges

Various unexpected barriers posed challenges to the organisation and implementation of the trials, impacting both the trial process and its outcomes. These challenges had significant implications for the overall tyre industry during the project's timeframe and shifted industry focus, resulting in potential partners prioritising other matters over trial assistance. The key barriers encountered are as follows:

• Export ban: Since 1 December 2021, there has been a ban on exporting tyres. This regulatory change caught recyclers off guard, as they were not adequately prepared to adapt to the new requirements.
• Lack of available storage containers: International supply chain disruptions and COVID-19-related issues led to a global shortage of storage containers. Consequently, trials requiring these containers could not proceed due to the unavailability of essential equipment.
• COVID-19 delays: The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread delays worldwide, including within the project. Staff shortages among potential project partners resulted in communication delays, thereby further impeding the progress of the project.
• Equipment prices: The cost of sourcing hired equipment for shredding and/or baling proved to be prohibitively high. This financial constraint limited the project's ability to access the necessary equipment, hindering trial activities.

Insights

Put effort where it makes the most difference

• While baling tyres can optimise transport efficiency, it was found to be not viable for recyclers. This suggests the need to explore alternative solutions to improve transport efficiency without causing disruptions or increased costs for recyclers.
• Implementing on-site collection systems can enhance the efficient and safe storage of tyres, offering a potential solution for better management of end-of-life tyres.
• Swapping full tyre cages with empty ones, instead of removing tyres individually, can improve the transport efficiency at collection sites.
• Utilising trucks that are returning empty to Metropolitan Melbourne presents an opportunity for more efficient transportation of end-of-life tyres.
• Exploring on-site processing options, such as mobile shredding, can increase truckload efficiencies and potentially reduce the need for long-haul travel of tyres.

Outcomes and impact

• Engaged with 7 recyclers, 10 logistics providers, 6 local government areas, and 2 local government organisations was essential for developing the three trial options.
• More than 50 individuals were engaged and informed about the trial, increasing awareness, and promoting sustainable actions for tyre recovery and recycling in regional Victoria.
• Stakeholder engagements focused on educating people about tyre recovery and recycling in regional Victoria, supported by informative and training materials.

What’s next?

• TSA will continue investment in market development efforts in Victoria, as identified by the trial's findings, to enhance recovery rates. Additionally, the logistics trial has facilitated the ongoing consolidation and transportation of end-of-life tyres from regional Victoria.
• TSA will continue communication with trial participants, collaborating with the stakeholders involved in this project to support their market viability, sustainability, and future growth.
• Various market development activities will be undertaken in Victoria and across Australia, laying the groundwork for improved recovery and recycling practices.

From the grantee

More information

For relevant resources on the tyre and recycling industry, please visit the Knowledge Hub section of Tyre Stewardship Australia. There, you will find research reports, articles, and case studies that provide valuable insights and information.