Research conducted by ACA Research and AfMA estimates there are 2.5 million fleet vehicles in Australia. This equates to more than 10 million tyres (plus the spare) that will reach the end of their life each year.
A demonstration project aimed at increasing the use of recycled crumb rubber on local roads across Tasmania is helping pave the way to a more sustainable future so Fleet Managers and novated lease drivers can know where their used tyres end up when they use a TSA accredited tyre retailer.
More than 1,240 end-of-life truck tyres will be diverted from landfill and mixed with the equivalent of 40,000 recycled glass bottles to produce crumb rubber asphalt in the ground-breaking project – a first for Tasmania – in a partnership between local road specialist Fulton Hogan and Tyre Stewardship Australia.
Meander Valley, in the state’s north, is the first municipality to resurface some of its road network, with work recently commencing in Prospect Vale.
Fulton Hogan’s State Manager, Sam Allan, said the municipal roads built using the crumb rubber asphalt would be significantly more durable, longer lasting, quieter and safer than roads paved with conventional asphalt.
“Crumb rubber modified bitumen used as a binder for asphalt mixes for community roads is a tangible contribution to the environment through recycling used tyres, and a lower life-cycle cost of the resulting road pavement,” Mr Allan explained.
“It’s about taking a waste stream – in this instance, used tyres – through to an environmentally beneficial product to build infrastructure of critical value.”
Six councils across Tasmania are taking part in the demonstration project: Meander Valley, Central Highlands, Dorset, George Town, Sorell and Tasman.
Tyre Stewardship Australia has provided more than $85,000 across the lifespan of the project to support additional costs relative to the installation of a conventional road. Fulton Hogan will cover the cost of the transportation and supply of a portable blending facility, providing councils across Tasmania the opportunity to utilise crumb rubber technology in both spray-seal and asphalt applications.
“Although more than half of Australia’s old tyres are recycled, upcycled or processed to make other products, like crumb rubber in roads, the equivalent of 27 million car tyres are wasted every year. These often end up in landfill, stockpiles or are exported overseas,” TSA CEO Lina Goodman said.
“As a material derived from end-of-life tyres, crumb rubber boasts many environmental benefits as a recycled product – benefits that are being realised across the Australian roads and infrastructure sector.”
Currently in Tasmania there is no manufacturing facility to blend crumb rubber binders or process tyres. Mr Allan said the project would “create an opportunity to help guide Council specifications to include crumb rubber binder and build an ongoing market for the product in Tasmania”.
“During this trial, Fulton Hogan plans to gain more intricate knowledge of market demand which may lead to a more permanent operation for Tasmania in producing crumb rubber binder,” Mr Allan said.
“This Tasmanian-first initiative is such an exciting one for Tyre Stewardship Australia to be involved with, because of the future possibilities it offers,” Ms Goodman added.
“With 85% of roads managed by local councils and significantly more low traffic roads found
nationally, local government procurement power is critical to using resources like crumb rubber, created from the millions of used tyres generated in Australia each year, to create a better performing, longer lasting Australian road network.
“With this strong link to circular economy outcomes, TSA is encouraging local councils to become an accredited participant of our National Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme. Apply online at https://www.tyrestewardship.org.au/about-tsa/apply-for-accreditation/.”
The National Scheme, implemented by TSA, helps to reduce the environmental, health and safety impacts of the 56 million tyres that reach the end of their life in Australia every year.
The voluntary scheme consists of representatives from across the tyre supply chain including retailers, manufacturers, auto-brands, recyclers and collectors.
TSA has committed $6 million to a wide range of Australian projects using waste tyres including ProtectiFlex, roads, horse racing tracks, car parks, sporting grounds and playgrounds.
