AUSTRALIA'S TOXIC TYRE TRADE DISGRACE

Tuesday, 20 October 2009 11:26

Australia has hit a new low in the irresponsible disposal of hazardous waste, said the Boomerang Alliance today, after reviewing the export of wasted tyres to developing countries – a toxic trade which exposes Australia’s failure to develop an effective recycling scheme.

“Tyres are known to be hazardous and over 60% (over 11 million) of Australia’s waste tyres are being sent overseas – mostly to Vietnam where the environment regulator does not want them,” said Dave West, National Campaign Director of the Boomerang Alliance.

“This is equivalent to over one million kg of toxic chemicals being sent offshore – it’s absolutely irresponsible for us to expect a developing nation to deal with our pollution,” said Mr West.

Australia is a signatory to The Basel Convention (the international agreement to restrict international trade in waste) which calls for its OECD members (including Australia) to minimise their waste exports into developing nations. In response the European Union has prohibited trade in tyres and just last month the UK Environment Agency successfully brought the first prosecution on tyre export. Waste tyres can also become vectors for mosquito borne diseases such as dengue and yellow fever.

“We have alerted Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to the dangers of this deplorable situation and we are confident that he will act,” said Mr West.
For over a decade the Tyre Industry has lobbied government to assist in the implementation of a National Tyre Recycling Scheme* that will see industry invest nearly $2million, but it has been stymied by state and federal bureaucracies unwilling to provide any regulatory protection to stop unscrupulous operators avoiding the scheme to undercut prices. The proposed tyre recycling scheme is on the agenda for the combined state, territory and federal environment ministers to discuss at the Environment Protection and Heritage Council meeting on November 5th in Perth.

“The focus now is on whether we can turn the page and build a 21st century recycling economy,” said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre. “This is the moment for an historic decision on A National Waste Policy and the long overdue recycling schemes for tyres, electronic waste and beverage containers.”
* The tyre recycling scheme is projected to generate around $90m per year in GDP, creating new jobs; saving 500,000+ tonnes of greenhouse gas a year; and generating over $7m pa in government revenue.