Using old tyres to create plastic-rubber composite speed humps

Sustainability Victoria

The outcome

This project created long lasting speed humps that were comparable to virgin plastic. The pilot installation showed that there was no significant difference in wear between the virgin and recycled versions. The humps maintained structural integrity and functionality. There was no noticeable degradation in performance compared to traditional materials.

The need

The 2019 ban on the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, has created new opportunities for these materials. These waste streams can improve sustainability and environmental outcomes through the right applications. Millions of end-of-life tyres end up in landfill or are stockpiled and are a major problem. Each year, millions of tonnes of plastic are used in Australia. Half of which is still for single-use purposes.

Many speed humps are manufactured with virgin plastics. These are significant in volume and play a crucial role in road safety. This made them an ideal product to showcase the composite material’s properties such as:

  • increased shock absorption
  • resistance to cracking
  • thermal and acoustic insulation
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