Tyrepower joins national tyre clean-up scheme

AUSTRALIA’S Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme has been given a boost with retail giant Tyrepower joining the industry-led push to address the problems associated with 48 million tyres requiring disposal each year.

Described as the largest independent tyre retail chain in Australia, Tyrepower joins the stewardship scheme alongside manufacturers including Goodyear, Pirelli, Michelin, Continental, Toyo, Yokohama and Dunlop and their retailers.

The inclusion of Tyrepower means that more than 60 per cent of the Australian industry is represented under the program.

Officially kicking off on August 1, the stewardship scheme was initiated to address issues such as the growing stockpile of end-of-life tyres, illegal dumping of tyres, and the low rate of recycling, which is currently only at around 16 per cent.

As GoAuto has reported, the program is backed by the Australian Motor Industry Federation and the Minerals Council of Australia and is supported by the federal and state and territory governments.

It is managed by representatives from the tyre supply chain including the aforementioned manufacturers and retailers as well as recyclers and collectors, and is funded through a 25-cent levy on every new tyre sold in Australia.

Tyrepower chief executive officer David Wilson said the company was keen to encourage sustainable behaviour from its dealers to help in the national clean-up.

“Tyrepower is a responsible corporate citizen and we are taking the high ground on this issue,” he said. “We want to ensure all dealers are using approved recyclers and engaging in sustainable behaviour. Together we will start to clean up the problem the nation is facing”.

Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) chairman Gerry Morvell said Tyrepower’s involvement in the scheme will help ensure the program gets the attention of the wider public.

“Tyrepower is one of Australasia’s biggest and most respected tyre retailers and I believe its commitment to the Tyre Stewardship Scheme complements the company’s position in the community,” he said.

“Their participation in the scheme will not only help address the physical management of the end-of- life tyres, but will also play a major role in gaining public recognition and support for the scheme.

“We know that Australians prefer to do the ‘right thing’ for the environment and by joining the scheme, Australian tyre businesses are meeting that consumer expectation.”

The stewardship scheme has three core objectives: research and development that looks at new uses for the recycled material education of the industry and consumers and independent auditing to weed-out “dirty, unsafe and illegal practices”.

Consumers can identify participants of the Scheme through branded signage at participating retail outlets.