Car Industry

VACC calls for a review of waste tyre exports

VACC, the peak Automotive Industry body in Victoria, has called for further investigations into the export of waste tyres.

The waste tyre control issue is an important one. VACC has worked closely with the Victorian Tyre Dealers Association (VTDA), the Australian Automotive Industry Association (AAIA), the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) and other industry representatives, to find a solution.

Control, appropriate storage, recycling and correct disposal are key issues, as is the import and export of waste tyres. Australian tyre dealers have called for a domestic market for recycled rubber to be fully developed.

“VACC supports the responsible disposal of waste tyres. This is currently happening in Australia as we have the capacity to recycle waste tyres without damaging the environment,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.

“However, what we lack is a market for recycled waste tyre products. We have the supply but not the demand. If States and the Federal Government could agree on a policy for the use of waste tyres, such as in road building and construction, then the rate of genuine recycling would be improved and the need to export would be reduced, if not removed completely.

“Instead of being recycled appropriately, often tyres are exported to places where they are crudely treated to extract oil, causing increased environmental pollution.

“However, if Australians want to ensure waste tyres are recycled appropriately, then we have to be prepared to pay for it. Some motorists do not realise when their tyres are replaced, that it is their responsibility to dispose of the old ones correctly.

“Often, the easiest thing for the motorist is to leave the old tyres with the tyre dealer. However, some people object to paying for the service because they believe the tyre dealer is profiteering. This is not the case. The responsible tyre dealer is simply re-couping the cost for storage, handling, removal (by a reputable recycler) and the subsequent correct disposal of the tyres,” Mr Purchase said.

Tags: VACC, waste tyre