MACHINERY

Waste tyre warning issued

A tyre stewardship program could help reduce stockpiles of old tyres, including those on farms.

Staff writer

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The ban comes into effect 1 December and TSA is aiming to develop viable markets for end-of-life tyres (EOLT) through a stewardship scheme.

TSA says the scheme has multiple benefits including transforming a waste product into a useful commodity, creating new industries and employment opportunities while also reducing the environmental harm caused by the illegal dumping, stockpiling and mismanagement of EOLT.

TSA is concerned that as the ban nears, heightened activity of collecting waste tyres may occur and that there is a possibility that unused or segregated farmland may be used to illegally dump or stockpile waste tyres.

Unmanaged stockpiles may become the responsibility of the farmer or landowner where illegal dumping and stockpiling has occurred. TSA says it has seen such occurrences first-hand and continues to monitor known stockpiles.

Australia generates 450,000 tonnes of EOLT each year, of which 75 per cent comprise passenger, truck and bus tyres.

Seventy-two per cent of EOLT is recovered for productive outcomes, but the remainder is mostly disposed (in licenced landfills or buried on-site where permitted), dumped or stockpiled.

More than 110,000 tonnes of EOLT is generated through sectors that use off-the-road tyres (OTR), including mining, agriculture, construction and aviation. Less than 20 percent of those tyres reaching end-of-life are recovered each year.

In recognition of the environmental, health and social impacts of these tyres being mostly buried on site or in landfill, TSA is working on a government grant-funded project focused on improving the resource recovery rates of OTR tyres for more sustainable outcomes.

TSA is asking the following of farmers:
* If you see or hear of illegal dumping and stockpiling of waste tyres on your farm or in your local area, please advise TSA.
* For the disposal of waste tyres, visit mytyresmychoice.com.au to find TSA accredited collectors and recyclers in your area.
* Ensure you are aware of your regulatory obligations. Your state-based regulator will be best placed to guide you on how you can store and reuse waste tyres (such as for silage weights) on your property.

Additional Information can be obtained by sending an email to GetOnBoard@tyrestewardship.org.au or visiting  https://www.tyrestewardship.org.au/

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