Getting ready for the waste tyres export ban – coming soon

Australia is the first country in the world to ban exports of our unprocessed waste to other countries.

From 1 December 2021, new laws mean that the ban on waste exports from Australia will extend to tyres. From this date, exporters will only be able to export:

• passenger, sports utility vehicle (SUV), bus, truck and aviation tyres for re-treading to a verified re-treading facility
• tyres that have been processed into crumbs, buffings, granules or shreds
• tyres that have been processed into tyre-derived fuel
• tyres to an appropriate importer for re-use as a second-hand tyre.

Exports of whole-baled tyres will no longer be allowed.

To continue exporting waste tyres, exporters will need:

• a licence to export waste
• to declare each consignment to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

You can apply for a licence from 29 October 2021.

Now is the time to get ready for Australia’s 1 December 2021 waste export ban on tyres. Find out how the rules affect you.

Earlier in 2021, Australia stopped exporting unprocessed waste glass and mixed plastic. Australia is acting because we recognise we cannot keep exporting our waste, including to countries unable to manage their own waste.

This change is part of a broader commitment by the Australian Government to reduce waste, increase recycling rates and build capacity in Australia’s recycling industry. The benefits to the environment will be significant and will help Australia reach its waste-related targets.

For industry it will mean new opportunities to innovate how we recover and reuse our waste. This will mean an expanded industry and new jobs. Recovering and reusing waste materials creates almost 3 times as many jobs as material going to landfill.

Find out what you must do.

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