What are the environmental regulations for disposing of tyres in Australia?
Short answer: Tyre disposal is regulated at the state level in Australia, and while specifics vary, most states restrict or ban whole tyres from being sent to landfill, require licensed transport and storage for large volumes of used tyres due to fire risk, and increasingly apply product stewardship schemes aimed at ensuring tyres are actually recycled rather than stockpiled or dumped — checking your specific state's EPA guidance is the reliable way to know what applies to you.
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List Free →Why tyres are regulated differently to other waste
Large stockpiles of tyres present a genuine fire risk (tyre fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish and produce toxic smoke) and a mosquito-breeding risk when they hold water, which is why regulation tends to be stricter than for general waste.
What this typically means in practice
Landfill bans on whole tyres, storage limits for anyone holding large volumes, and licensing requirements for tyre transport and processing businesses are common features across Australian states, though exact rules differ by jurisdiction.
What to check for your situation
Your state EPA’s website will have current, specific guidance — this is worth checking directly if you’re disposing of a large volume or operating a business that generates tyre waste regularly.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
Understanding these regulations matters most for businesses handling volume — if that volume includes recovered scrap metal, ScrapTrade is a straightforward way to move that material on compliantly.
If your tyre recycling or disposal process recovers scrap steel, ScrapTrade connects that material with verified buyers through escrow-protected payments and transparent weighing.
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