According to Bayside Council (Sydney), in June 2023, Bayside conducted a trial using recycled rubber from end-of-life car and truck tires in the asphalt mix for the first road on Willison Road, Bexley, Sydney. The roadwork resulted in an impressive appearance and sturdy performance. This paving initiative, involving 12 Sydney Councils, aims to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits by incorporating recycled tire rubber in road construction.

An initial 3,600 standard passenger car tires or 2,400 car and 490 truck tires combined will be used in the crumbed rubber asphalt trial project, involving 12 Councils in the region.

Key stakeholders, including the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC), Tyre Stewardship Australia (TSA), Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA), RMIT, Boral Australia, State Asphalt, Transport NSW, and NSW EPA, have actively contributed to this regional project.

The endeavor emphasizes the value of research and collaboration, highlighting the positive outcomes achieved through professional partnerships. Over the next 12 months, the performance of each asphalt mix will be closely monitored under various conditions to assess the benefits of the product. The project aims to generate comprehensive data on the use of recycled rubber-based treatments on local roads and contribute to the development of crumb rubber asphalt specifications for future projects.

The sustainable end product is anticipated to exhibit significantly improved durability and resilience compared to standard asphalt, with the rubber enhancing the properties of the bitumen component. Studies suggest that incorporating recycled tires in road construction can lead to up to 72% reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions compared to landfill disposal. Additionally, the rubber’s sun-blocking properties are expected to enhance road longevity, particularly during the harsh heat of Australian summers. Research indicates that crumbed rubber asphalt can effectively double the lifespan of roads.