Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has welcomed the findings of the Australian Senate Inquiry’s report No Time to Waste, highlighting strong prospects for tyre recycling and a circular economy.
TSA commended the Senate Committee and its Chair, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, for clarifying Australia’s current policies and regulations.
TSA Chief Executive Officer Lina Goodman said the report reflected widespread industry and community support for a cohesive national approach to waste management and the transition to a circular economy.
“It is clear that there is overwhelming industry and community support for a cohesive national approach to better waste management and transition to a circular economy,” Goodman said.
“And the big news from this Inquiry is that there is again overwhelming industry support for regulated product stewardship schemes as the path forward.”
TSA said it agreed with the report’s recommendation to establish a Circular Economy Act, supporting the creation of regulated product stewardship schemes as a key method to achieve Australia’s circular economy goals.
According to TSA, the Senate Committee demonstrated that it had listened closely to industry insights when outlining a future road map.
“With the federal election underway, we call on all the parties to commit to creating an efficient set of rules for product stewardship, and empowering product stewardship schemes and industry, together, to deliver a fit-for-purpose approach,” Goodman added.
TSA highlighted that effective product stewardship could support material circularity throughout the value chain, from product design and production to reuse, recycling, and end-of-life management. Goodman cited CSIRO modelling that estimates doubling the circularity of the economy could generate a net economic benefit of $26 billion in GDP by 2035.
Goodman noted that while TSA’s current voluntary product stewardship scheme for tyres is making progress, a mandatory approach would be needed to level the playing field, eliminate free riders, and address issues such as illegal tyre dumping.
“Our current voluntary product stewardship scheme on tyres is working to the extent it can, but the need for mandatory participation by all tyre importers will create a level-playing field for all businesses, improve outcomes, lower costs, remove free riders and help stop rogue operators and illegal dumping of tyres,” she said.
TSA emphasised that only federal government action could deliver the uniform and best-practice regulation necessary to implement mandatory product stewardship schemes effectively and efficiently across Australia. Goodman said that voluntary schemes were no longer sufficient, and called for decisive national leadership.
“The time for voluntary schemes has long passed – we need decisive federal action to implement a comprehensive national regulatory framework for stronger stewardship schemes, including tyres alongside other priority products such as batteries,” Goodman said. “Without Federal Government leadership, Australia’s circular economy ambitions will remain fragmented and unfulfilled.”
TSA also made submissions to the Productivity Commission’s current inquiry into opportunities in the circular economy. Goodman said TSA’s primary recommendation was for the federal government to establish a Circular Economy Act, aligning with calls made by the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group and the Senate Inquiry.
“A week out from the federal election, we hope all parties will approach the next federal term of government with real intent to get serious about building Australia’s circular economy,” Goodman said.
TSA’s submissions to both the Senate Inquiry into Waste Reduction and Recycling Policies and the Productivity Commission’s inquiry can be accessed via the Parliament of Australia and Productivity Commission websites.
