Government procurement and stronger product stewardship are essential to creating hundreds of local jobs by processing and using the 500,000 tons (equivalent to 62.5 million passenger tires) of used tires generated annually in Australia.

Speaking at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Procurement Practices, Tire Stewardship Australia's CEO, Lina Goodman, emphasized the need for government to leverage its procurement power and product stewardship regulation to drive the investment needed for circular economy jobs, boosting Australia’s manufacturing sector and stimulating markets for recycled products.

Goodman warned that markets for recycled tire products have plateaued and are at risk of failing. “Without effective government interventions in procurement and product stewardship regulation, many of these markets cannot and will not grow.”

She suggested simple changes, like mandating crumb rubber in road asphalt, supporting retread tires in government bus fleets, and purchasing tires only from brands participating in Australia’s voluntary product stewardship scheme.

“Progressive countries have successfully used government procurement and regulation to create jobs and develop markets using recycled materials,” Goodman said. She pointed to Canada, where government regulation has supported initiatives and innovation in manufacturing with recycled materials, significantly increasing revenue for a rubber product manufacturer and creating circular economy jobs.

Goodman believes that similar success can be achieved in NSW and across Australia through mandatory government procurement focusing on the lifecycle impacts of a tire, along with strong product stewardship regulation.

To leran more, proceed to the original article by TSA.