The Manitoba government has approved the stewardship program plan for the continued recycling of used tires.
“It is encouraging to know there’s a good collection system in place for recycling automotive, off-road and even bicycle tires,” Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires said. “And it’s even more encouraging to see the many ways that old tires can be turned into new products, such as playground flooring, turf fields, rubberized asphalt for roadways, welcome mats for your home or an anti-fatigue mat at work, or even garden mulch in place of woodchips.”
The province has approved a new five-year business plan for Tire Stewardship Manitoba, Squires said, adding that strengthening Manitoba’s recycling programs to reduce waste is one of the priorities included in her new mandate letter.
Tire Stewardship Manitoba is one of the province’s 12 industry-funded producer responsibility organizations, which help recycle and properly dispose of a wide variety of designated materials, from packaging and printed paper to used motor oil and tires, household hazardous waste and empty beverage containers. More information about where to recycle these products can be found online.
“Tire Stewardship Manitoba ensures the scrap tires available for collection are being collected and diverted from landfills, reducing the potential for stockpiles and potential harm to the environment,” said Brett Eckstein, executive director, Tire Stewardship Manitoba. “With every purchase of a new tire, Manitobans make a significant investment in a thriving environmental industry that reflects job creation, innovation and economic growth.”
There are currently over 1,500 tire collection sites in Manitoba. In 2016, these sites recovered over 18,600 tonnes of scrap tires. The new five-year plan includes a recommendation to increase public awareness and sustain a recovery target of at least 90 per cent. One of the other priorities of the renewed program is providing convenient, provincewide access to tire recycling opportunities including in northern and remote communities.
