Used tyres that ended up in landfill could be back on the road thanks to a Queensland Government-funded recycling project.
Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey and Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the State Government was leading a national plan to put more recycled rubber into roads.
“The disposal of used tyres is a national problem but Queensland has the opportunity to be the leader in this recycling strategy,” said Mr Bailey.
The Palaszczuk Government is now partnering with Tyre Stewardship Australia to develop and trial specifications for the use of crumbed rubber in road asphalt applications.
“The stage 1 research found that crumbed rubber in spray seals can lead to improved road performance, now we want to see if this is also true for asphalt,” added Mr Bailey.
“We are about to enter the second year of a four-year study into tyre recycling, but road asphalt applications have already proven successful in Queensland trials.”
Minister Miles said recycling used tyres into roads makes sense because it works on several levels.
“Every year in Australia more than 51 million tyres reach their end of life and only 16 per cent of these tyres are recycled, with most ending up stockpiled or dumped in landfill,” said Dr Miles.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to finding innovative solutions when it comes to waste.”
To launch the new project, Ministers Bailey and Miles visited Chip Tyre, a recycling facility in New Chum. From the end of this year, Chip Tyre will also crumb old tyres for road-based projects, diverting more tyres from landfill.
In addition, the Palaszczuk Government is also considering the feasibility of banning tyres, along with timber, green waste and concrete, from disposal at landfills in a bid to boost recycling rates and market opportunities for these materials.
Dr Miles said while Queensland householders would still be allowed to take these items to the tip, alternatives to putting them in landfill would need to be offered.
“The Queensland Government will begin consultation with affected groups in coming months,” said Dr Miles.
“A disposal ban won’t affect residents, however they can always help us by making sure old tyres are not illegally dumped.”
More information on the Queensland Government’s waste strategy and possible landfill disposal ban is on its website.