Australians overwhelmingly back national rules for used tyre recycling

New consumer research commissioned by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) shows Australians want stronger national action to ensure used tyres are properly collected, recycled and kept out of the environment.

The national YouGov study, conducted for TSA in March 2026 among 1,051 vehicle owners, found 91 per cent support national rules requiring used tyres to be properly collected and recycled, while 92 per cent say the tyre industry should take greater responsibility.

The findings come as the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science conducts its Inquiry into the Australian Tyre Industry, with TSA calling for a whole-of-supply-chain mandatory tyre product stewardship scheme.

Consumers want transparency and accountability

The research shows a clear gap between what Australians expect and what they believe is currently happening. Almost half of vehicle owners surveyed (48 per cent) said they are not confident used tyres are disposed of responsibly, while 61 per cent of those who replaced tyres in the past three years said they were not told what would happen to their old tyres.

One in three vehicle owners (31 per cent) believe used tyres are being illegally dumped, and 34 per cent said they had seen or heard about dumped tyres in their community in the past 12 months.

Support for stronger accountability is also clear: 87 per cent support increased penalties for illegal tyre dumping, and 80 per cent agree local councils should not have to use ratepayer money to clean up illegally dumped tyres.

TSA CEO Lina Goodman said the research shows Australians want certainty that disposal fees translate into real environmental outcomes.

“For years the question has been whether Australians would accept a regulated scheme and the cost transparency that comes with it. The answer is now unambiguous — they’re demanding it,” Ms Goodman said.

Consumers are willing to pay for a fairer system

Vehicle owners nominated around $6 per tyre as a reasonable fee if it guaranteed responsible end-of-life management. Among those who knew they had paid a disposal fee at their last tyre replacement, the average fee was around $8 per tyre.

By comparison, TSA’s current voluntary levy is equivalent to 25 cents per passenger tyre, and only 53 per cent of tyre importers by volume currently contribute.

“Australians aren’t asking for a free ride — they’re asking for a fair system,” Ms Goodman said. “When someone pays a disposal fee, they deserve a guarantee it delivers a genuine environmental outcome.”

Younger Australians are leading the call for change

Support was strongest among younger Australians, with Gen Z respondents nominating $7.80 per tyre as a reasonable fee and Millennials nominating $7.33. Younger Australians were also more likely to accept a personal role in responsible disposal, with 86 per cent of Gen Z agreeing consumers have a responsibility to ensure tyres are disposed of properly.

“Consumers have shown their hand: they’ll pay a fair fee, they want transparency at the counter, and nine in ten want national rules to guarantee the system works,” Ms Goodman said.

A clear mandate for reform

TSA says the research strengthens the case for a mandatory national tyre product stewardship scheme that applies across the whole supply chain.

A mandatory scheme would help ensure tyre importers, retailers, collectors, recyclers and other supply chain participants are held to consistent national standards, creating greater transparency and accountability for consumers, industry and government.

With Australians calling for stronger rules, clearer information and fairer responsibility across the tyre lifecycle, TSA says the message is clear: the current voluntary approach is no longer enough.

Download the infographic and media release below