Australian authorities have intercepted 10 shipping containers carrying illegal tyre waste that were due to depart Sydney for Malaysia, according to foreign reports.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) detected the 280-tonne shipment, roughly the equivalent of tyres from 175 passenger cars, during ongoing border monitoring.
A compliance and enforcement team from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) inspected the containers and found a mix of non-compliant baled waste tyres and bags of shredded tyre pieces.
Following the inspection, a Melbourne-based tyre exporter was issued a compulsory direction to remedy non-compliance and required to collect the containers from the facility at its own expense.
The company is liable for detention, inspection and transport fees, and may face further costs to process the tyres in accordance with legal standards.
Under the Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020, the unlawful export of tyres carries penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment and fines for individuals or companies.
Since the tyre export rules were introduced, ABF and DCCEEW said they have intercepted 61 containers of non-compliant tyre waste across 14 consignments, preventing an estimated 1,700 tonnes from being exported.
A DCCEEW spokesperson said exporters must ensure end-of-life tyres are properly processed and comply with Australia’s waste export laws.
