Tyred & Wasted: Australia’s Illegal Tyre Dumping Crisis

Tyred & Wasted: Australia’s Illegal Tyre Dumping Crisis is a new documentary from Tyre Stewardship Australia that exposes how illegal tyre dumping is hitting Australians twice – at the checkout and again through their council rates.

The documentary reveals how rogue tyre operators charge consumers and businesses for “responsible” disposal, then dump tyres illegally, leaving local councils and ratepayers to fund costly clean‑ups. 

With councils spending an estimated $6.5 million a year removing illegally dumped tyres, the film shows why illegal dumping is both an environmental issue and a growing cost‑of‑living problem for communities across Australia.

Images of TSA CEO Lina Goodman on the ground at illegal tyre dumping sites around Australia, highlighting the cost and damage communities are left to deal with.

A Current Affair airs a powerful investigation into illegal tyre dumping on Friday, 3 April, exposing how unlawful waste practices are costing taxpayers millions. The report highlights environmental damage, enforcement challenges and the growing financial burden placed on communities by irresponsible operators.

In a February 2026 feature for Waste Management Review, journalist Lisa Korycki examines the findings of Tyred & Wasted and the growing financial burden illegal tyre dumping places on councils, communities and legitimate recyclers. The article explores how gaps in Australia’s voluntary tyre stewardship system are being exploited – and why policy reform is increasingly urgent.

TSA has partnered with Snap Send Solve to help build a national picture of illegal tyre dumping hotspots. Reports from everyday Australians are helping expose the scale of the problem – but reporting alone cannot fix a broken system.

• Choose TSA Accredited tyre retailers to ensure your tyres are handled responsibly.
• Report dumped tyres via Snap Send Solve or your local council.
• Learn more about Australia’s tyre product steward.