Australian Parliament to Focus on Tyre Disposal

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) has confirmed its support towards the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science report into the Australian tyre industry When the Rubber Hits the Road, tabled in Parliament on 15 October 2026.

The Committee’s twelve recommendations have set out a clear pathway for reform with nationally harmonised rules for end-of-life tyres, representing a staged move away from onsite burial of mining tyres, dedicated support for regional and remote Australia, stronger domestic markets for recycled tyre materials, and consideration of a transition to a mandatory national product stewardship scheme.

TSA Chief Executive Officer Lina Goodman says: “The Committee has recognised the significant issues and complex challenges of end-of-life tyres and made a compelling case for reform. The Committee travelled across the country, visiting processing, recycling and research facilities, and heard directly from local councils, industry and communities. Its members have clearly understood what is at stake and the need for change. We are grateful for their leadership.”

The Committee’s findings build on an already substantial body of evidence, including state-led work such as the Western Australian-led National End-of-Life Tyres Options project. Taken together, these reports reach a consistent conclusion that the status quo is no longer acceptable.

Lina adds: “The Government’s own parliamentary committee has now confirmed what the states have also concluded that action is required. There is broad agreement within the tyre supply chain, across governments and the community that Australia needs national rules for used tyres. The Committee has given the Government a clear roadmap and what is needed now is a commitment from government to act on these 12 recommendations.”

TSA welcomes the Committee’s recommendation for an independent audit of the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme. It also supports the recommendation that the operator of any future mandatory scheme be appointed through an open and competitive tender.

Lina concludes: “TSA is a not-for-profit organisation, and our interest is in the

best economic and environmental outcome for Australia, not in who delivers it. An independent audit will give the Government and the community a clear picture of what the voluntary Scheme has achieved and what can be learned from it. That evidence will help build the strongest possible national framework, and we will cooperate fully.”