Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) joins the global tire recovery community in congratulating the Tyrewise Working Group, Auto Stewardship NZ and the New Zealand government for establishing the first nationwide regulated tire product stewardship scheme, with mandatory industry participation.

“It’s a bold step to stamp out rogue operators and create a level playing field for proactive, industry-led waste recovery,” says TSA chief executive officer Lina Goodman.

“It will deliver the type of meaningful impact that product stewardship schemes were designed to do.

“Our voluntary schemes in Australia can only do so much. Without regulated, mandatory participation, free riders enjoy the benefits of a scheme without contributing and rogue operators disrupt waste recovery efforts, and take money from retailers and consumers for ‘the privilege’.

“I urge the Australian government to look closely at this new model in New Zealand, and work with us to take our scheme and the tire recovery circular economy to the next level in Australia.

“Tyrewise and TSA share stakeholders and the differences for industry will come into sharp focus when the NZ scheme starts in 2023.

“This is great news for the Australia and New Zealand region and tire recovery circular economies around the world.”

Press release by TSA.

Who is Tyre Stewardship Australia

Tyre Stewardship Australia has been formed to implement the national Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme to promote the development of viable markets for end-of-life tires.

This will have the multiple benefits of transforming a waste product into a useful commodity, creating new industries and employment opportunities while also reducing the environmental harm caused by the illegal dumping of old tires.

TSA is made up of representatives from across the tyre supply chain including tyre retailers, manufacturers, recyclers and collectors. TSA members also include the Australian Motor Industry Federation.