TSA Responds to WA Government’s National End-of-Life Tyres Options Papers

The Western Australian Government has released the findings of the National Project on Options for End-of-Life Tyres, a significant piece of research into how Australia manages its used tyres. The project provides clear validation of the position Tyre Stewardship Australia has long advocated: that while the voluntary Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme (TPSS) has delivered substantial benefits, it cannot achieve its full potential without a regulated framework.

Key Insights from the Report

The WA Government’s analysis highlights several critical points that align with TSA’s experience and industry knowledge:

• Voluntary limitations – The TPSS has supported the growth of end markets for tyre-derived material over the past 11 years, but as with all voluntary schemes, it faces inherent limitations including free riders, the ongoing cost burden on communities, and missed opportunities for advanced manufacturing.
• Underutilised recovery – Despite progress, only around 30,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres are currently used locally in recycling options.
• Lost resource value – More than $50 million in resource value is lost annually from off-the-road (OTR) tyres alone, constraining the supply of recovered materials that could replace virgin inputs and restricting job creation in recovery industries.
• Export vulnerabilities – Reliance on export leaves the system exposed to fluctuations in shipping costs, commodity prices, and exchange rates. A regulated stewardship framework can help stabilise markets and support greater circularity.

The Policy Opportunity

The project identifies a critical opportunity for governments to expand recovery systems and stimulate higher-value markets. Shifting end-of-life tyres into advanced recovery pathways could unlock tens of millions — and potentially more than $100 million — in added resource value each year.

The WA Government’s conclusion is clear: only a broad-based regulated product stewardship scheme, tailored to the Australian market, can fully address these challenges.

Why a Mandatory Scheme Matters

A well-designed mandatory scheme has the potential to:

• Support existing markets without disruption
• Drive genuine circular economy outcomes
• Create long-term benefits for recyclers and manufacturers
• Protect against export market volatility

TSA’s Call to Action

For the first time, governments now have a substantial evidence base to inform next steps. TSA calls on Federal and State Environment Ministers to progress to a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of a regulated product stewardship scheme for tyres. This is a pivotal moment to secure better environmental, economic, and industry outcomes.

Access the Reports

The WA Government has published both the options analysis and the supporting technical study.