Spearwood rubber company a finalist in recycling awards

9/11/00
Spearwood rubber recycling company Entyre Rubber Systems has been chosen as a finalist in the State 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) 2000 Awards.
The State 3R 2000 Awards, presented by the State Recycling Advisory Committee and co-ordinated by the Department of Environmental Protection, recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations that reduce the amount of waste that would be destined for landfill.
Entyre Rubber Systems was chosen as a finalist in the small business category. The company recently won a major international contract for reusing recycled tyres.
The company used more than 700 tonnes of recycled tyres to produce a coloured rubber fibre which can be used in place of turf on golf courses and equestrian centres and to provide surfaces for walkways, cycleways and playground safety edging.
It has received $85,000 in grants from the Western Australian Waste Management and Recycling Fund to promote the move away from disposing of old tyres to landfill and into innovative reuse applications.
Entyre has become so successful at reusing scrap rubber - more than 1,000 tonnes annually - that it has had to establish a new tyre reduction plant to keep up with demand.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the quality of this year's 33 finalists was a good sign that reducing waste was an increasingly high priority for WA businesses and the general community.
"This is the sixth year we have held these special awards to recognise companies that help the environment by cutting back and recycling waste material and this year's field of finalists is the strongest yet," Mrs Edwardes said.
"The awards attract sponsorship by organisations with strong environmental credentials, including the Publishers National Environment Bureau, the Beverage Industry Environment Council and Waste Stream Management.
"Also, Cleanaway, Alcoa World Alumina Australia, VISY Recycling and Millennium Inorganic Chemicals have lent their reputations as environmental leaders to the awards.
"These awards recognise finalists as leaders in environmental protection through waste minimisation."
Winners in each category of the State 3R 2000 Awards will be announced at a presentation dinner on Saturday, November 11.
Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9421 7777
Photos and comments: Chris Forrester or Bill Grace 9418 8144