Rogue tyre operators pocket millions while ratepayers fund the clean up
Australian consumers and small businesses are being ripped off by rogue tyre operators who charge fees to dispose of used tyres – then pocket the cash and dump the tyres illegally, leaving ratepayers to foot the clean-up bill.
A new documentary by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), Tyred and Wasted: Australia’s Illegal Tyre Dumping Crisis, reveals the scale of the scam and its direct impact on household budgets at a time when Australians can least afford it.
“Consumers are paying up to $50 a vehicle – and even more in regional Australia – to have their tyres disposed of responsibly. But in too many cases, that money goes straight into the pocket of a rogue operator who dumps the tyres in a national park, under a bridge, or on the side of the road,” said Lina Goodman, CEO of TSA.
“Then, when council has to send in a crew to clean it up, ratepayers pay again through their rates. In a cost-of-living crisis, Australians are being hit twice – and government inaction is allowing it to happen.”
As CEO of community reporting app Snap Send Solve Danny Gorog explained: “Illegal tyre dumping is one of the most common issues reported by Australians through Snap Send Solve — our platform processes more than 1.8 million community reports every year, and tyres feature constantly, from roadside dumps to stockpiles in bushland. Australians are doing their part by reporting the problem, but ultimately it’s the ratepayer who foots the bill for the clean-up. Better data helps councils identify hotspots and respond faster, but data alone can’t fix a broken system — that requires government to step up and regulate.”
“Governments at every level know they have a problem,” says Goodman. “Victoria has just committed $21.5 million to tackle illegal dumping. Queensland has announced a $17.7 million Fighting Illegal Dumping Partnership to fund surveillance, compliance officers, and clean-ups for councils across the state. In Western Australia, tyres are the single most prolific illegally dumped waste item. And near Townsville right now, an estimated 1,000 tyres are sitting untouched in a ditch with a clean-up bill expected to top $100,000. That’s taxpayer money — millions of dollars — being spent on mopping up after criminals instead of funding the services communities actually need.”
“After 11 years of Tyre Stewardship Australia operations, a voluntary scheme has taken us as far as it can,” Ms Goodman said. “Rogue operators exploit the system because they can. A mandatory national product stewardship scheme is the only way to close the loopholes, level the playing field for legitimate businesses, and stop ratepayers footing the bill for waste crime.”
According to Ms Goodman, mandatory tyre stewardship schemes are already delivering results internationally. “In New Zealand, one local council saw a 47% drop in illegal tyre dumping in just the first year of their mandatory scheme. In British Columbia, tyre dumping has been virtually eliminated. Australia is being left behind.”
“If we do nothing, rogue operators will continue to make money at the cost of our environment and the cost of our hip pocket,” Ms Goodman said. “A well-structured mandatory scheme doesn’t just stop dumping – it supports advanced manufacturing, creates recycling jobs, and redirects millions back to the community services Australians actually need. And, if we look to the experience of mandatory schemes like New Zealand, consumers end up paying once and paying less.”
TSA urges consumers to choose a tyre retailer accredited by TSA to ensure their tyres are handled by legitimate collectors and recyclers. Accredited retailers can be found at www.mytyresmychoice.com.au
Illegal dumping can be reported through the Snap Send Solve app or directly to local council.
The documentary Tyred and Wasted: Australia’s Illegal Tyre Dumping Crisis is available for broadcast use. Visit tyrestwardship.org.au
