New report highlights risks to be understood and managed for sustainable end-of-life tyre resource recovery and applications

Tyre Stewardship Australia has released a new report to help Tyre Derived Product (TDP) processors, manufacturers and users increase their knowledge of the environmental and health risks around use of end-of-life (EOL) tyres.

The TYRE PARTICLE HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY REPORT 2022 pulls together findings from global research to provide a useful summary of what the world knows about the contribution of tyre and road wear particles (TRWP) to chemical and microplastic pollution.

TSA Science and Innovation Advisor, Dr Linda Mitchell, says: “We‘ve done the leg work in identifying relevant literature that will help local governments and businesses who are putting, or want to put, EOL tyres to more sustainable use than stockpiling and dumping.

“There are many environmental and commercial benefits of reprocessing EOL tyres, but it’s important we recognise there are still risks that need to be managed.”

The Report lists risks for tyre and road wear particles AND tyre derived products used in applications such as artificial turf, playgrounds, running tracks and crumb rubber modified asphalt.

It also includes a risk matrix, which rates the risks according to likelihood and consequence, and identifies any knowledge gaps.

“What interests us the most is the knowledge gaps that exist,” says Dr Mitchell.

“As Australia moves towards improved management and reuse of its own waste, these gaps are opportunities for science and innovation sectors to investigate more and help show us the path forward.”

Read full media release for more information.