Senate inquiry sees strong future for tyre recycling

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has welcomed the findings in the Australian Senate Inquiry’s report, ‘No Time to Waste’.

Commending the Senate committee, CEO Lina Goodman said, “It is clear that there is overwhelming industry and community support for a cohesive national approach to better waste management and transition to a circular economy. And the big news from this inquiry is that there is again overwhelming industry support for regulated product stewardship schemes as the path forward.”

TSA agrees with the need for a Circular Economy Act to get regulated product stewardship schemes up and running as the most effective approach to achieving Australia’s circular economy ambitions. It says the report findings show that the Senate committee has listened to industry insights on the road map for a way forward.

“With the federal election underway, we call on all the parties to commit to creating an efficient set of rules for product stewardship. And empowering product stewardship schemes and industry, together, to deliver a fit-for-purpose approach,” Goodman said.

Effective product stewardship supports material circularity throughout the entire value chain, from product design, through production, use, re-use, collection, recycling, reprocessing and end-of-life product management.

“The circular economy is a huge opportunity, and industry is ready to make the most of it. CSIRO modelling shows that doubling the circularity of the economy can deliver a net economic benefit of $26 billion in GDP by 2035,” Goodman said.

“Our current voluntary product stewardship scheme on tyres is working to the extent it can, but the need for mandatory participation by all tyre importers will create a level-playing field for all businesses, improve outcomes, lower costs, remove free riders and help stop rogue operators and illegal dumping of tyres.

“Only federal government action can establish the uniform, best-practice regulation so urgently needed to achieve mandatory product stewardship objectives effectively and economically efficiently across Australia.

“The time for voluntary schemes has long passed — we need decisive federal action to implement a comprehensive national regulatory framework for stronger stewardship schemes, including tyres alongside other priority products such as batteries.

“Without federal government leadership, Australia’s circular economy ambitions will remain fragmented and unfulfilled.”

“TSA has made submissions to the Productivity Commission’s current public inquiry into the Opportunities in the Circular Economy. Our key recommendation has been for them to listen to the call from the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group to establish a federal Circular Economy Act. It was heartening to see that this is also the key recommendation of the Senate Inquiry.

“A week out from the federal election, we hope all parties will approach the next federal term of government with real intent to get serious about building Australia’s circular economy.”

Image caption: iStock.com/Constantinis