Tyre Stewardship Australia has welcomed a new Australian parliamentary inquiry into the tire industry and urged the Federal Government to implement its 12 recommendations without delay. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science tabled its report, “When the Rubber Hits the Road,” on October 15, 2026, recommending nationally harmonized rules for end-of-life tires, a staged reduction in onsite burial of mining tires, stronger support for regional and remote areas, expanded domestic markets for recycled tire materials and consideration of a mandatory national product stewardship scheme. TSA says the recommendations provide a clear pathway toward a more consistent and circular national system at a time when Australia generates around 72 million Equivalent Passenger Units of end-of-life tires annually. The organization also highlighted the Committee’s support for retreading, increased use of crumb rubber in roads, stronger government procurement and collaboration with universities and CSIRO to commercialize new tire recycling technologies.

Committee sets out 12 recommendations for tire reform

TSA said the parliamentary report reflects a broad consensus that Australia’s current approach to end-of-life tire management requires reform. The recommendations include nationally harmonized rules governing used tires and a possible transition from the existing voluntary stewardship model toward a mandatory national product stewardship framework.

The report also addresses tire storage, transport and disposal, areas where inconsistent rules between jurisdictions can create enforcement gaps and make illegal dumping more difficult to prevent.

TSA calls for nationally harmonized end-of-life tire rules

One of the Committee’s central recommendations is for governments to develop a nationally harmonized framework through the Environment Ministers’ Meeting. TSA argues that consistent rules would improve accountability across the tire supply chain and create clearer requirements for manufacturers, importers, retailers, collectors and recyclers.

TSA CEO Lina Goodman said the findings reinforce earlier work undertaken by Australian states, including the Western Australian-led National End-of-Life Tyres Options project, which also identified the need for coordinated national action.

Mandatory stewardship remains under consideration

The Committee recommended that the government consider moving toward a mandatory national tire product stewardship scheme. TSA currently operates the voluntary Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme, established in 2014 as an ACCC-authorized industry framework.

TSA welcomed the recommendation for an independent audit of the existing scheme and also supported an open and competitive tender process for selecting the operator of any future mandatory system.

Retreading identified as priority circular economy activity

The parliamentary inquiry recognized tire retreading as a priority circular economy activity. Retreading extends the service life of suitable tire casings and can reduce demand for new raw materials by delaying the point at which a tire enters the recycling stream.

TSA said greater support for retreading should form part of a wider strategy that combines waste prevention, reuse, material recycling and market development for tire-derived products.

Committee calls for stronger markets for recycled tire materials

The recommendations also seek to increase demand for materials recovered from end-of-life tires. TSA highlighted proposals involving greater use of crumb rubber in roads, government procurement and closer cooperation between industry, universities and CSIRO to commercialize new tire recycling technologies.

Domestic market development is particularly important because recycling capacity depends on reliable outlets for rubber and other recovered materials. Greater public procurement of tire-derived products could provide more predictable demand and support investment in processing and manufacturing.

Regional and remote tire recovery receives greater attention

TSA particularly welcomed the Committee’s focus on regional, rural and remote Australia, where long transport distances and storage costs can make end-of-life tire recovery significantly more difficult than in major urban areas.

Developing financially viable collection and processing systems for these regions remains a major challenge, especially for mining, agricultural and off-the-road tires generated far from established recycling facilities.

OTR tire recovery rises from 9% to 21%

TSA said recovery rates for off-the-road tires from mining and agricultural applications have more than doubled since 2021, increasing from 9% to 21%. The organization attributes the improvement to collaboration among miners, farmers, processors, recyclers and researchers.

The Committee proposes building on this progress through a staged reduction in onsite burial over five years, interim recovery targets and public reporting. These measures would gradually move more OTR tires toward recycling and other productive recovery routes.

Consumer research shows strong support for national rules

Recent research commissioned by TSA found that 91% of Australians support national rules for managing used tires. TSA said the result aligns closely with the Committee’s recommendation for a harmonized national framework.

The research also found that consumers are prepared to pay approximately A$6 per tire to ensure responsible disposal, indicating willingness to contribute financially if the system can demonstrate credible environmental outcomes.

Local councils report costs from illegal tire dumping

Local government organizations accounted for approximately one third of submissions to the parliamentary inquiry, providing evidence on the financial and operational impacts of illegal tire dumping.

TSA argues that nationally consistent rules covering tire storage, transportation and disposal could close regulatory gaps that contribute to dumping and reduce the burden currently placed on councils and local communities.

TSA criticizes free riders in voluntary stewardship system

TSA also highlighted the contribution made by tire companies that have voluntarily funded the existing stewardship system, including Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, Hankook, Kal Tire, Kumho, Michelin, Pirelli, Porsche, Sailun, Toyo Tires, Yokohama and others.

The organization argues that companies participating voluntarily are currently carrying costs that non-participating tire suppliers can avoid. A stronger national framework requiring shared responsibility across manufacturers, importers, retailers, recyclers and other participants could reduce this competitive imbalance.

Australia generates around 72 million EPU of end-of-life tires annually

TSA says approximately 72 million Equivalent Passenger Units reach end of life in Australia each year. Its stated mission is to maximize the circular value of the resources contained in those tires while minimizing environmental, health and safety impacts.

The organization currently accredits and monitors more than 1,700 participants across tire manufacturing, retail, collection and recycling and says more than A$12 million has been invested in market development initiatives since the scheme began.

TSA calls for implementation within current government term

TSA is asking the Federal Government and Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt to implement the Committee’s recommendations during the current term of government.

The organization argues that Australia already has substantial evidence supporting reform and that the priority should now shift from further diagnosis toward implementation. If adopted, the Committee’s recommendations could reshape tire collection, recycling, retreading, OTR tire management and recycled-material markets across Australia while laying the groundwork for a more consistent national circular economy framework.

Original source: Tyre Stewardship Australia.