End-of-Life Tyre Recycling: From Problem to Process

Australia’s tyre waste challenge calls for smart, scalable recycling solutions. The right shredding solution can turn end-of-life tyres into valuable, reusable resources.

Australia faces a serious challenge with end-of-life tyres (ELTs). According to Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) Material Flow Analysis Report 2023–24, Australia consumed approximately 740,000 tonnes of tyres (comprising 20 million Passenger, 8.5 million Truck and Bus, and 0.75 million OTR tyres) and as the population of Australia grows, the import and consumption of tyres is steadily increasing.

One notable change cited by the TSA in the five-year period from 2019-20 to 2023-24 is the increase in the recycling rate, rising from 11% to 17%, which is a move in the right direction. A key factor contributing to this improvement is the growing offshore demand for shredded tyres for further processing and recycling, rather than solely for energy recovery.

Energy recovery remains the largest end fate for ELT, accounting for 40% (217,500 tonnes) of used tyre management in 2023-24 mainly in the form of shredded end-of-life tyres commonly called tyre-derived fuel (TDF) being used directly in cement kilns, paper pulp mills or industrial boilers.

Stockpiling, illegal dumping, and exporting to offshore processors continue to plague the industry. But there is a smarter, more sustainable way forward, and it starts with investing in proven tyre recycling solutions built for Australian conditions.

Why Tyre Recycling Matters

Discarded tyres pose both environmental and safety risks. They’re highly flammable, take decades to break down, and release toxic chemicals if improperly handled. Yet within every tyre lies a valuable resource, rubber, steel, and textiles that can be recovered and reused.

Australia’s regulatory landscape is tightening. With pressure from the EPA, industry bodies like the TSA, and community expectations, the recycling industry is evolving fast. Facilities that want to stay ahead need reliable, high-throughput equipment that can handle high volumes of throughput, both yesterday’s unprocessed tyres and tomorrow’s new tyres that are introduced into the system.

The Two-Track Solution from Waste Initiatives

Waste Initiatives supports this transition with a two-tiered range of tyre recycling solutions designed to suit startups and serious operators alike:

• WastePac: The foundational range of single, dual, and four-shaft shredders, ideal for smaller operations or entry-level tyre processing (up to 1 tonne/hour throughput).
• Vertech: The premium solution, featuring the renowned Barclay shredders and Eagle International pre-processing equipment, purpose-built for high-volume commercial recyclers.

While WastePac plays a supporting role, this article focuses on the Vertech range, a robust, high-performance tyre recycling solution proven capable for Australian conditions.

Vertech: High-Volume Tyre Shredding, Engineered for Australia

Barclay Tyre Shredders – The Muscle Behind Modern Tyre Recycling

Made in the USA, Barclay Tyre Shredders are built for one job, devouring tyres of all shapes and sizes. From standard car tyres to 22.5” truck and bus tyres. Barclay machines offer unmatched reliability and throughput. Waste Initiatives is proud to be the exclusive Australian distributor.

Barclay’s solution set includes:

• Barclay Primary Tyre Shredder: Designed to process whole passenger, 4×4, light truck, and commercial tyres in one pass. A heavy-duty, high-torque workhorse that creates uniform shred sizes for downstream sorting.
• Barclay Secondary Tyre Shredder: Takes primary shreds and refines them into smaller, consistent chips ideal for further processing or resource recovery.
• Barclay Classifier: Ensures output is precisely screened and sorted into clean, market-ready fractions.

Whether you’re recycling car tyres, truck tyres, or light industrial rubber, Barclay machines provide consistent, high-volume results with minimal maintenance and are reliable with minimal downtime.

Common Applications:

• Recycle passenger tyres
• Recycle 4×4 tyres
• Recycle truck tyres
• Recycle tyres for TDP (tyre-derived product) or TDF (tyre-derived fuel) markets
• Process waste for tyre recycling plants across Australia and New Zealand

BROCHURE DOWNLOAD

Going Bigger: OTR Tyre Recycling with Eagle Pre-Processing

When it comes to Off-The-Road (OTR) tyres, like those used in mining or agriculture, the scale, weight, and embedded materials present a unique challenge. That’s where Eagle International machinery comes in.

Before these massive tyres can be shredded, they must be:

• Cut down to size
• Stripped of heavy-duty beads
• Segmented into manageable chunks

Waste Initiatives incorporates Eagle machines in the front end of any large-format tyre recycling solution, making sure that the tyre shearing process does not slow down the Barclay shredding process:

Eagle Titan II Cutter:

• A market leading cut and shear for OTR tyres up to 63” in diameter, one of the largest capacity units in the industry.
• Removes reinforced steel beads efficiently.
• Prepares tyres for Barclay shredding in downstream stages.

Together, the Eagle and Barclay combo forms the backbone of a scalable tyre processing plant. Whether you’re recycling mining tyres in Western Australia or agricultural tyres in regional New South Wales or Queensland.

Designed for Industrial-Scale Success

The Vertech tyre recycling solution was developed by Waste Initiatives to serve serious recyclers in Australia and New Zealand who need:

• High-output systems to meet growing demand.
• Reliable performance under tough conditions.
• Modular configurations to scale as needed.
• Ongoing local support via Waste Initiatives’ national service network

These machines are already being used in tyre recycling facilities across Australia, reducing landfill, diverting tonnes of waste, and turning used tyres into viable revenue streams.

Real-World Benefits

Facilities using Vertech solutions report:

• Reduced downtime thanks to premium build quality.
• Predictable shred sizes for consistent product outputs.
• High throughput for large-scale processing.
• Strong ROI through lower cost-per-tonne metrics.
• Australian-based servicing and locally stocked parts to keep machines running.

BROCHURE DOWNLOAD

Whether you’re upgrading an existing plant or entering the market, equipment offered in the Vertech range gives recyclers an edge, combining American-made muscle with local support and integration.

Getting Started: Funding, Compliance & Support

If you’re looking to establish a tyre recycling factory or expand your processing capability, funding support may be available. Search terms like “tyre recycling funding” and “tyre recycling cost” are common for good reason. Capital costs can be significant, but with the right equipment partner, ROI can be fast-tracked by:

• Avoiding costly breakdowns or downtime
• Maximising output from day one
• Accessing new revenue through TSA-aligned product markets

A complete guide on how to start a tyre recycling business in Australia can be found here.

Export Restrictions Are Tightening

The export of whole used tyres from Australia is now heavily regulated. Since December 2021, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has restricted the export of baled, whole used tyres under the Waste Export Ban framework.

Only tyres that have been processed into crumbs, granules, buffings, or cleanly cut pieces are eligible for export. This change has driven greater demand for domestic tyre processing plants that can prepare material to the required standards, making local shredding capacity more essential than ever.

Waste Initiatives helps customers build compliant and scalable tyre recycling solutions, from feasibility assessments to machine supply, installation, training, and after-sales support.

Why Now?

The tyre recycling market in Australia is shifting fast:

• Exports of whole-baled tyres are banned.
• Regulators are cracking down on stockpiles.
• Industry bodies are incentivising local processing.
• New processing facilities are being fast-tracked across Australia and New Zealand.

For recyclers, this presents a rare opportunity to grow into an essential role in Australia’s circular economy.

Beyond Australia: Opportunities in NZ & the Pacific

Searches for “tyre recycling New Zealand” are also on the rise, with regional governments across the Tasman exploring scalable, localised recycling solutions. Waste Initiatives supports export-ready recycling systems that can be deployed into Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Future-Ready Tyre Recycling Starts Here

Whether you’re shredding passenger tyres, processing mining tyres, or launching a new tyre recycling plant, the key is simple: start with the right equipment. Waste Initiatives, backed by the muscle of Barclay and the precision of Eagle, is your partner in building a robust, future-ready tyre recycling solution.

Want to Learn More?

Talk to the Waste Initiatives team about designing a complete tyre recycling system that matches your goals. From tyre recycling machines for sale to full-service solutions development, we’re here to help turn waste into opportunity.