The Australian Tyre Recyclers Association (ATRA) has released a new video highlighting opportunities to improve the recovery and recycling of off-the-road mining tires in Australia.

The video focuses on end-of-life OTR tires used in mining operations. These tires are large, technically complex and often located in remote regions, which can make collection and recycling more challenging.

ATRA said new opportunities are available for miners and OTR tire manufacturers to increase resource recovery and direct more mining tires into established recycling pathways.

Recycling capacity expands for OTR mining tires

According to Robert Kelman, Executive Officer of the Australian Tyre Recyclers Association, Australia has a well-established tire recycling industry that has expanded in recent years, particularly in Western Australia.

Kelman said ATRA members are able to collect tires from mining regions across Australia and process them into materials and products for domestic use and export.

Recovered rubber from mining tires can support a range of rubber recycling outcomes. Depending on processing technologies and market requirements, end-of-life tires may be converted into recycled rubber products, tire-derived materials or feedstock for further circular economy applications.

ATRA seeks cooperation with miners and regulators

ATRA said it wants to work with miners, regulators and OTR tire manufacturers to improve recovery outcomes for mining tires.

The association said significant industry and government investment has already been made in collection and processing capacity, making additional recovery options available to the mining sector.

ATRA said the new video is intended to build awareness and support practical action to increase the recovery of OTR mining tires and make better use of their material value.

Mining tire recovery linked to circular economy goals

Improved recovery of OTR tires could support broader tire recycling and sustainability objectives by reducing the volume of valuable rubber materials left unused at end of life.

ATRA said stronger cooperation across the mining, manufacturing, regulatory and recycling sectors will be important for increasing the use of available recycling infrastructure and supporting tire-to-tire circular economy outcomes.

Article source: ATRA.