The environmental importance of upcycling tyres and A1 Rubber’s leadership in the field.
Australia faces a growing challenge in managing the end-of-life tyre, with over 67 million passenger-tyre equivalents discarded each year. Improper disposal not only takes up valuable landfill space, but also poses serious environmental and health risks. Upcycling tyre rubber — the process of transforming end-of-life tyres into useful products — offers a sustainable, innovative solution that keeps resources out of landfills while creating valuable materials for everyday use.
Environmental value
Tyres are built to be durable, but that same resilience makes them problematic once they’re no longer in use. Upcycling circumvents these issues by transforming tyres into products like playground flooring, sports surfaces, and even roads and infrastructure.
Upcycling can help conserve natural resources and can also contribute to the circular economy by keeping valuable materials in use longer and reducing the need for virgin rubber.
Industry leader
At the forefront of this movement in Australia is A1 Rubber, a company dedicated to upcycling waste tyre rubber into high-performance flooring and surface products. A1 Rubber processes over 7500 tonnes of used tyre rubber each year, manufacturing durable, visually appealing products for playgrounds, landscaping, gyms, commercial spaces and more. The company’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing significantly reduces the environmental burden associated with tyre disposal.
By integrating tyre-derived rubber into its flooring solutions, A1 Rubber not only helps divert tonnes of waste from landfill but also contributes to lowering the environmental footprint of the construction and recreation industries.
Insights from Tyre Stewardship Australia
A desktop study conducted by Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA) underscores the importance and safety of using recycled tyre products. Their comprehensive Tyre Particle Health, Environment and Safety Report (2022) reviews literature studies relating to the impact of products made from recycled rubber, such as artificial turf infill, playground surfaces, and crumb rubber-modified asphalt.
As the report highlights: “The literature studies on bound surfaces, such as playgrounds and sports tracks, were assessed to have a minor risk towards the environment and human health. An assessment of crumb rubber modified asphalt studies suggests there is a minor risk to the surrounding environment.”
These literature findings support the use of upcycled rubber in a range of applications, reinforcing that, when properly managed, tyre-derived products are safe and environmentally sound.
Upcycling tyre rubber is more than just waste management — it’s about environmental stewardship, innovation, and responsible industry practice. With leaders like A1 Rubber setting the benchmark the case for tyre upcycling is stronger than ever.
An added benefit of using recycled rubber in playgrounds is that it is polymerically bound, fully encapsulating the rubber particles. This not only enhances durability but also makes the material self-extinguishing if ignited, adding an important layer of fire and environmental safety.
Through continued investment, education, and innovation, Australia can turn a waste problem into an opportunity — keeping tyres out of landfill and putting them to good use in a way that’s safe for people and the planet.
To see more of A1 Rubber’s products and company aims, log on to a1rubber.com.