Periodically, we are reminded of the problem of disposing of old vehicle tyres. There's been a number of suggestions as to what we should do, but there is concern that the cure may be worse than the disease with a lot of side effects: burning tyres, for example, just adds to air pollution. Now, an Australian start up Green Distillation Technologies says it has a solution that is both effective and profitable. Their chief operating officer is Trevor Bailey.

In our discussion Trevor notes:

• They have a demonstration plant up and running

• It works on heating the tyres in a closed environment without air so that there is molecular changes without causing smoke and other pollutants.

• He can run the power for his plant by using just 3% of the oil they produce in the recycling process.

• It is producing quality by products such as oil and steel

• There is a large amount of interest from overseas

• They want to start a larger commercial size factory in Australia but we are slower to jump on board new technology as opposed to the US

• Other recycling systems have disadvantages including taking all or more of the charge that is taxed on each new tyre to cover recycling.