After media reports sounded the alarm over used tire recycling in Ontario, we started hearing from stakeholders asking the UCDA to join the effort to solve the problem. We asked our members to tell us what they are seeing.
As a result, we have been inundated by UCDA members detailing levels of concern all around the province of Ontario … from tires not being collected, to storage concerns, theft of used tires, fire hazards, environmental concerns, costs and insurance concerns.
Memories are short, but the UCDA remembers the Hagersville Tire Fire in 1990. That fire burned for over two weeks and involved 14 million tires. Firefighters from over 24 different departments risked their lives in dangerous and toxic conditions to fight the blaze at a cost, in 1990 dollars, to Ontario taxpayers of about 20 million bucks. When nearby residents were finally able to return, they, and the first responders, still had to deal with the resulting health problems, poisoned soil and economic fallout for years to follow.
It’s said that changes by the Ontario government to regulations early in 2025, lowering recycling targets from 85% to 65% of used tires collected by weight, may be part of the problem.
Whatever the cause, the collection and recycling of used tires is clearly being impacted, as companies responsible for tire recycling have stopped processing them.
This is creating a backlog in the system.
To assist our members that have repair facilities, sell new tires and collect used ones or deal with third party repairers who may be reluctant to take additional supply, we are joining a coalition of like-minded stakeholders. We wll bring this problem to the attention of those best placed to fix it, namely, the Ministry of the Environment and the recycling regulator, the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority.
Consumers are asked to pay $5 on every new tire they buy, to ensure the safe and efficient handling of used tires. Since that sends millions towards tire producers, all that remains is to see that it is actually getting done. Sure, dealers could spend money to send these tires to landfill, but what happened to recycling, what happened to environmental concerns and most importantly,
WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THAT MONEY?
We want to see the law enforced. We will keep members informed as this dynamic story unfolds.