The Age of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, & Technological Advances designed to help the environment.

We have a wealth of information regarding the impact climate change is having on our beautiful blue planet. I admit I base every decision I make on evidence-based information derived from robust data and tried and tested analysis, at work and in my private life. I believe in the science and believe what scientists are telling us, and I think we need to do something about it. We are the first generation to fully know and understand that our actions and our throw-away mentality is destroying the world, and we know what is required to save it – and, incidentally, save ourselves in the process! I get very excited when I hear about any new technology, innovation, process or policy that will help mitigate climate change and ensure future generations will have the opportunity to experience all the beauty of our earth.

The report from Hyder Consulting 2012, "Study into domestic and international fate of end-of-life tyres - Final Report" reported that each year in Australia, the equivalent of 48 million tyres reach the end of their life, and only 16% of these are domestically recycled. Around two thirds of used tyres in Australia end up in landfill, are stockpiled, illegally dumped or have an unknown fate. This represents both a waste of resources and creates health and environmental issues. We really do need to do better, and I'm happy to report that some SA Councils have begun trials using recycled tyres.

Recycling and reusing End-of-life tyres

The City of Mitcham Council, working with Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), begun trialling special gap graded asphalt modified with crumb rubber on several of the Council's roads to replace the regular asphalt materials. Details of the case-study are found here.

Russell King, Principal Engineer at the City of Mitcham, notes in this interview that this is not the first trial in the world to use recycled tyres in road surface construction, but it is the first trial in South Australia - and that IS exciting! Many SA Councils must find cost-effective ways to deal with the reactive soils in their areas, and products made from recycled tyres may be just what we are looking for.

The results from the initial trial with Mitcham Council have proved successful, so much so, that a second trial is now underway with six SA Councils, including the cities of Mitcham, Port Adelaide Enfield, Campbelltown, West Torrens, Onkaparinga and Salisbury, along with Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), and Topcoat Asphalt Contractors Pty. Ltd. (Topcoat Asphalt). sa-councils-in-major-trial-using-recycled-tyre-rub

This second trial will be looking at developing a stronger strength mix that uses even more recycled tyre rubber. This is a very exciting project and I will be very interested to hear what our SA Councils determine over the next 2 years or so.

Benefits of Recycling

· Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill

· Conserves natural resources

· Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials

· Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials

· Saves energy

We can help close the recycling loop by purchasing and using new products made from recycled materials.