Australia uses Tyre Stewardship programs to recover resources from used tyres, turning them into crumb rubber for sports surfaces, asphalt, and fuel, with some exported; however, significant numbers still end up in landfills, stockpiled, or illegally dumped, highlighting a challenge in achieving a fully circular economy despite recovery efforts for around 58-66% of tyres.
Used tyres can be collected and delivered to an accredited and responsible recycler, yet legal landfill and onsite disposal and illegal burning, exporting and dumping still take place in Australia.
Collectively, this means there are more than 100 million tyres on the roads, with the majority ending up in landfills or stockpiled. According to recent estimates, the Australia tyre recycling market generated a revenue of USD 392.2 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 518.3 million by 2030.
Some of the most common uses for recycled tyres include: Rubber for conveyer belts. Used to make more tyres. Playground fall protection and synthetic flooring.
Short answer: Yes -- old tires have monetary and practical value, but the worth varies widely by condition, type, age, local market, and applicable regulations. Most common passenger tires sell for little as used tires; scrap/retread, recycling, and specialty markets capture more value.
The 3% rule states that when replacing tires, the new tire's diameter should not differ from the original by more than 3%. This guideline helps maintain proper vehicle performance, safety system functionality, and speedometer accuracy.
Some tire dealers only sell used tires. Others sell used tires to supplement their sales of new tires. Either way, for the sellers, used tires are a lucrative business—garnering much higher profit margins than the sales of new tires.
These tyres are often sold for recycling or repurposing, as they contain valuable materials like rubber, steel, and fabric. While some are recycled into products such as rubber mats, road surfaces, or fuel, others can be re-treaded and reused.
If you change them at home, tyre companies may be able to dispose of your tyres for a small charge. Unwanted tyres can be taken to Recycling Centres – find your nearest below. There may be a limit to how many you can take and you may also be charged. It's best to check with your local authority first.
The most responsible place would be a tyre recycling facility so that they can be repurposed. You might also be able to take them to a local tyre outlet to be recycled for a fee. The landfill should be your last resort. However, keep in mind that many local landfills and recycling centres will not accept used tyres.
Sweden is the country famous for achieving an extraordinary waste management success, recycling or converting nearly 99% of its household waste into energy, meaning less than 1% goes to landfills, leading them to even import trash from other nations like the UK and Norway to keep their energy plants running. This remarkable feat stems from strong policies, advanced waste-to-energy (WtE) technology, and public participation in sorting waste into recyclables and fuel.
No, standard passenger car tyres aren't generally illegal just for being over 10 years old, but it's highly risky and strongly recommended to replace them because rubber degrades, causing cracks, loss of grip, and potential blowouts, with many experts suggesting replacement after 5-6 years, though laws do exist for commercial vehicles like buses and lorries banning tyres over 10 years old on certain axles.
Coca‑Cola 20oz bottles are now made from 100% recycled plastic (excluding cap and label) nationwide.
Resource recovery rates
Australia's national resource recovery rate in 2022–23 was 66%. This comprised 63% recycling, 0.2% waste reuse and 3% energy recovery, mostly associated with the use of landfill gas for generating electricity.
The "7 7 rule" for tires is a guideline for seasonal tire changes: install winter tires when temperatures consistently drop to 7°C (45°F) or below for seven days, and switch back to all-season/summer tires in spring after seven consecutive days above 7°C, because tire rubber compounds perform best at specific temperatures for grip and wear. Below 7°C, winter tires offer better traction; above 7°C, all-season/summer tires are safer and wear less.
Tyre lifespan
Tyres should be removed once they reach ten years of age, regardless of appearance, mileage or actual wear. However, most tyres will need replacing before they reach the ten year mark.
Revenue Generation: Selling shredded tire materials like steel and rubber can be highly profitable, providing a consistent revenue stream. Market Expansion: The demand for recycled tire products in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and energy is growing, offering expansion opportunities.
Australia does have a large tyre recycling industry. Crumb rubber from shredded tyres goes into asphalt for roads, and extracted tyre-derived fuel can be used to provide energy. But landfill is still an option for used tyres across the country.
Every time you buy new tyres from Kwik Fit, we include a small fee for tyre disposal. Your old tyres are then sent to our tyre recycling facility, where they are turned into rubber granulate or rubber crumb, which can be used to make new products - such as artificial sports pitches.
Scrap tire hazards
Discarded tires occupy massive space in landfills, and their non-biodegradable nature means they remain intact for centuries. The sheer volume of waste is staggering; in the United States alone, approximately 300 million tires are discarded yearly.
As a general rule, you want replacement tires that are within 3 percent of the diameter (height) measurement of the tires originally on your vehicle.
When an old tyre is taken for recycling, it will often be shredded into small pieces. These shredded can then be used as raw material in various applications for road construction, or as filling material on pavements, playgrounds, or sports areas.
Tire recycling is by far the best approach when it comes to reducing the overall amount of scrap tires in our communities. Thanks to advancements in technology, updated laws that punish dumping, and state-mandated disposal fees, the incidence of illegally dumped tires has significantly decreased.
No, 7-year-old tires are generally not considered safe, even with good tread, because the rubber degrades over time (dry rot), increasing the risk of dangerous blowouts, reduced traction, and handling issues, so they should be replaced soon, ideally after a professional inspection. Many tire experts and manufacturers recommend replacement around 6 years, with a strict limit of 10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of appearance.