AUSTRALIAN TYRE RECYCLERS WELCOME COAG INITIATIVE ON USED TYRES

The communique from today’s COAG meeting includes a commitment to a timetable to ban the
export of various products including used tyres. This initiative is welcomed by the Australian
Tyre Recyclers Association (ATRA)

“There are two distinct streams of used tyre exports, one is sustainable, the other clearly is not
and a timetable to ban the export of whole baled tyres from Australia is welcomed, said Robert
Kelman, Executive Officer, ATRA.

“Bales of whole tyres, we know are either burnt in the open or in highly polluting pyrolysis
operations in India and Malaysia with poor outcomes for human health and the environment.
Australia should not be dumping this waste product on developing countries.

“Australia must process its own material including tyres before export and develop its own
reprocessing industry. This will require increased levels of domestic procurement of tyre
derived products such as more use of crumbed rubber in asphalt as well as tyre derived fuels
both domestically and internationally to replace coal and save on greenhouse gas emissions.

“We look forward to working with federal and state governments on the timetable and the
definitions of these unsustainable used tyre exports. Accordingly, ATRA calls on Environment
Ministers to set an aggressive timetable to protect the legitimate tyre recycling industry in
Australia to promote investment and jobs by banning the export of whole tyres.”

For more information Robert Kelman robertkelman@iinet.net.au 0423 573278

ATRA is a division of the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR)