Joint media release: Western Australia’s most advanced tyre recycling facility opens

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Reece Whitby MP, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action

The Federal and Western Australian Labor Governments today unveiled Western Australia’s most advanced tyre recycling infrastructure, helping to drive the nation’s transition to a circular economy.

Tyrecycle’s new recycling plant in East Rockingham will have the capacity to process 42,000 tonnes of tyres every year and support 10 new jobs.

The technology will double Western Australia’s production of crumbed rubber for use in recycled products like rubber chips, granules and powders – for reuse in things like roads and playgrounds.

The project was supported by a $5.2 million co-investment from the Australian and Western Australian Governments, with Tyrecycle contributing $9.6 million.

The Recycling Modernisation Fund is accelerating the country’s shift to a safe circular economy so that when a product is no longer useful or required for its initial purpose, it is either reused, recycled or remanufactured.

On completion, projects announced under the Recycling Modernisation Fund, across all jurisdictions, are expected to add 1.3 million tonnes of processing capacity every year, diverting valuable materials from landfill for reuse, and supporting new jobs.

When combined with co-investment from all states and industry, the Recycling Modernisation Fund will give a $1 billion boost to Australian recycling.

For more information about the Recycling Modernisation Fund visit: Investing in Australia's waste and recycling infrastructure - DCCEEW

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek:

“Individuals and industry want to do their part to drive a circular economy, from reducing waste to recycling or reusing goods.

“This tyre recycling facility is great example of the kind of innovation we need to boost recycling and manufacturing in Australia while creating jobs. And it’s just one of the 28 projects delivered so far by our $250 million Recycling Modernisation Fund.

“This is great for the environment and the Western Australian economy. For every job in landfill, there are three jobs in recycling."

Quotes attributable to Western Australian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Hon Reece Whitby:

“Western Australians are embracing a sustainable future, as demonstrated by their support for the Cook Labor Government’s Plan for Plastics, Containers for Change, and the three-bin food organics, garden organics system.

“Industry is also on board, with facilities like Tyrecycle’s creating jobs and helping divert material from landfill.

“I am pleased to see Commonwealth Government supporting this project, which will assist the mining industry as it seeks to improve the recovery and recycling of off-the-road tyres.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources, the Hon Madeleine King:

“This project is great for the environment, great for the economy and great news for Rockingham.

“This project creates local jobs and importantly will double Western Australia’s production of crumbed rubber for use in recycled products.

“The funding will help recycle and retain end-of-life tyre material in Australia and convert it to products to go back into Western Australian roads.

“Importantly, the facility will help recycle WA’s vast stock of mining truck tyres which accounts for nearly half of the nation’s tyre waste.”