Queensland turns old tyres into roads, keeping 2.4M tyres from landfills
Queensland's Sunshine Coast is investigating whether worn-out off-the-road (OTR) tyres can be repurposed for local roads, diverting thousands of tyres from landfills. The Department of Transport and Main Roads' 2024 report revealed that crumb rubber from end-of-life OTR tyres was used in asphalt and road-sealing on Railroad Parade in Glass House Mountains, Spalls Road in Diddillibah, and Perlan Street in Nambour.
These OTR tyres, initially used in mining, agriculture, and quarrying, are challenging to manage at the end of their lifecycle. The trial, conducted by Sunshine Coast Council, Boral, Allens Asphalt, Carroll Engineering, and Puma Energy Bitumen, aimed to create a circular economy where local industries' rubber can be processed into road material.
The project involved testing various rubber-to-bitumen ratios to determine optimal durability and compatibility with regional road conditions. By incorporating recycled tyre rubber, the Sunshine Coast project offers a sustainable solution to the large volume of OTR tyre waste while generating local economic benefits, such as job creation and regional economic activity.
The trial findings could potentially guide other regions in implementing similar recycling programs, advancing sustainable infrastructure in Australia.
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