Innovation and sustainability

Beaurepaires have taken a large step forward in improving sustainability within our industry by joining as a founding member of the Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA). TSA has been formed to implement the national Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme to promote the development of viable markets for end-of-life tyres. This will have the multiple benefits of 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 of old tyres. TSA is made up of representatives from across the tyre supply chain including the tyre retailers, manufacturers, recyclers and collectors. TSA members also include the Australian Motor Industry Federation.

TSA Mission and Objectives

Mission

The mission of the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme is to reduce the volume of end of life tyres currently being disposed of in a manner which is damaging to the environment i.e. via landfill, illegal dumping or undesirable export. 

The outcome is to increase the recycling rate through the promotion of economic uses of the resulting recycled feed-stock of such tyres.

In 2013-14, only 5 per cent of end of life tyres were recycled in Australia*.  The immediate aim of the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme, administered by the TSA, is to increase the recycling rate to 50 per cent over five years.

Objectives

The objectives of the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme are to:

• increase resource recovery and recycling and minimise the environmental, health and safety impacts of end-of-life tyres generated in Australia, and
• develop Australia’s tyre recycling industry and markets for tyre derived products.

The objectives of the scheme will be achieved through industry participation at all levels of the tyre supply chain and with the support of government.  The ACCC authorisation of a small levy on the sale of new tyres and the broad industry participation in the scheme will ensure the viability of both the scheme and the economic foundation to provide encouragement for new uses for properly recycled end of life tyres.

Visit the TSA website here

 * 'Stocks and Fate of End of Life Tyres - 2013–14 Study', 2015, National Environment Protection Council.