At Amarapave, we believe that every step toward sustainability matters—no matter how small. Last month, we worked with Merri-Bek City Council to trial a small patch of asphalt made with crumbed rubber from old wheelie bin tyres. The results were anything but small: 200kg of rubber saved from landfill and 660kg of methane emissions prevented (rubber in landfill creates 3.3x its weight in methane emissions).
This small patch demonstrates the big potential of rethinking waste as a resource.
Without intervention, more than 500,000 wheelie bin wheels are destined for landfill over the next 10-12 years, just within this one LGA – the state and national figures are much higher. It’s important to not only recover this material but also to ensure that it can maintain utility as it moves through the circular economy.
This project is proof of that circular economy vision in action. The team at Downer eagerly joined forces with Amarapave to create a unique asphalt mix design. With Tyre Crumb’s help in shredding the tyres, Downer’s lab crafted an innovative mix that not only embraced recycled wheelie-bin tyre rubber but also included 30% reclaimed asphalt, replacing virgin materials and reducing environmental impact.
But this project is more than numbers. It’s a reminder of what we can achieve when we challenge old ways of thinking and turn obstacles into opportunities.
At Amarapave, we’re committed to transforming how we approach sustainability in construction. It’s not just about managing waste—it’s about recognizing the untapped potential in everything we use and leaving a lasting impact for future generations.
This is just the beginning. We’re excited to collaborate with more councils and communities to shape smarter, greener solutions that work.
Jenika Stubelj – Co-Founder & Managing Director
