Bob Jane T-Marts joins TSA

AUSTRALIAN automotive recycling initiative, Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), has announced that Bob Jane T-Marts – one of Australia's largest tyre retailers – has signed onto its Product Stewardship Scheme.

With 136 stores across Australia, Bob Jane T-Marts is the largest retail chain to join the TSA accreditation program.

It joins Tyrepower, Beaurepaires, Bridgestone Service Centres and Bridgestone Select stores, K Mart Tyre & Auto Service, Goodyear Auto Centres, Tyres & More, TyrePlus and Continental retail outlets as retailers that are committed to the sustainable management of end-of-life tyres.

TSA is a federal and state government initiative aimed at addressing the challenge presented by the 51 million end-of-life tyres created in Australia each year.

The initiative was established in June 2014 to address the growing issue of tyre wastage, while exploring ways to recycle and use old tyres in an environmentally responsible manner.

Since beginning, TSA has now accredited over 1000 tyre retail outlets, making it easy for consumers to find a retailer dedicated to environmentally responsible tyre management.

TSA chairman Gerry Morvell said that he is satisfied with the progress that the scheme has made over the past two years.

“It is very satisfying that from a standing start, only two years ago, TSA can now claim that a majority of tyre retail outlets have joined our Product Stewardship Scheme,” he said.

“We are always pleased when a major retail chain decides to participate and, of course, it is particularly gratifying when such a well-known Australian brand name becomes accredited.”

Bob Jane T-Marts CEO Rodney Jane was pleased to sign onto the TSA program.

“We want to see the responsible disposal of tyres which have reached the end of their life on the road as well as the recycling of these valuable resources into a new life,” he said.

TSA was recently allocated over $1.5 million in funding to invest in projects that lead to higher sales of tyre-derived product that is made by local tyre recyclers and manufacturers.

TSA said part of the funding will go towards supporting projects aimed at increasing Australian use of tyre-derived recycled material that is currently available, such as crumbed rubber, rubber granules and shredded tyres.

This recycled material can be used in applications from road construction and playground surfacing to adhesives and binders, and even as an additive into explosives.

TSA and its members are convinced that these initiatives hold the potential to create opportunities and jobs going forward.