As Australia’s largest tyre recycler, Tyrecycle is dedicated to delivering sustainable outcomes for two of the most challenging waste streams in the mining and industrial sectors – off-the-road (OTR) tyres and conveyor belts.
OTR tyres and conveyor belts, often bulky and located at remote mining sites, present significant disposal and recycling challenges. Tyrecycle’s innovative approach offers on-site solutions that address the expense and complexity of transporting waste to processing facilities, while maximising resource recovery and environmental benefits.
Off the Road Tyres (OTR Tyres)
Across Australia, approximately 130,000 tonnes of off-the-road tyres reach their end of life every year. Due to their large size, complex construction, and remote locations, disposing of or reusing these tyres is both difficult and costly. Tyrecycle has partnered with industry leaders such as Alcoa Australia to give new life to old mining truck tyres through milestone agreements that emphasise sustainability and innovation. Learn more about this partnership here.
A major advancement in Tyrecycle’s processing capability is the commissioning of the ‘T-Rex’ off-the-road tyre cutter at their new recycling facility in Port Hedland, Western Australia. This equipment, the first of its kind in Australia and supplied by Salvadori Recycling, allows for efficient pre-processing of OTR tyres, breaking them down into manageable sizes for further recycling.
After initial processing, the tyre materials are transported to facilities across Australia where they are transformed into valuable products such as Tyre Derived Fuel (TDF), Tyre Derived Aggregate (TDA), rubber granulate in various sizes, and fine rubber crumb (ranging from 440 to 710 microns). These recycled products are repurposed in multiple applications including energy production, construction, and manufacturing, turning what was once waste into valuable resources.
Conveyor Belt Recycling
Tyrecycle’s commitment to sustainability extends to recycling end-of-life conveyor belts, a significant waste stream in mining operations. In collaboration with Fenner Conveyors, Tyrecycle combines rubber expertise and conveyor belt knowledge to support mining customers with innovative, long-term recycling solutions. Discover more about this partnership here.
Central to this initiative is the vision of an endless lifecycle for conveyor belts. Used conveyor belts collected from mining sites — including remote locations — are transported to Tyrecycle’s conveyor belt recycling facility, where they undergo specialised processing. This process separates and reclaims valuable rubber components, steel chains, and adhesives, ensuring that each material is recovered and repurposed efficiently.
By recycling conveyor belts, Tyrecycle helps reduce waste sent to landfill, prevents soil contamination, and supports the mining industry’s sustainability goals. The reclaimed materials are transformed into recycled rubber and steel products used in applications such as playground surfaces, construction materials, and industrial goods, giving these components a new lease on life.
The Recycling Process and Facilities
Tyrecycle’s recycling process begins with the collection and transportation of used tyres and conveyor belts from mining and industrial sites. Given the weight and size of these materials, logistics are carefully managed to optimise transportation costs and minimise environmental impact.
At the recycling facility, conveyor belts are logged, sorted, and processed to separate rubber from steel and other materials. The rubber is granulated or crumbed into usable forms, while steel is reclaimed for reuse in manufacturing. This end-to-end process ensures minimal waste and maximum recovery of valuable resources.
Similarly, OTR tyres are pre-processed using the ‘T-Rex’ cutter before being further processed into fuel, aggregate, granulate, and crumb products at various facilities across Australia.
Through these comprehensive recycling processes, Tyrecycle significantly reduces the volume of waste sent to landfill, supports the circular economy, and delivers measurable environmental benefits.
