Resolution No. 17-05M

WHEREAS, Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation will not remove tires from rural landfill sites on an on-going basis; and

WHEREAS, environmental fees continue to be assessed with credits being accumulated at retailers; and

WHEREAS, retaining possession of used tires for continued use in farming operations results in tires being disposed of at local landfill sites, rather than at retailers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that collection of tires at rural landfill sites continue after the initial pick-up as the environmental fee has been prepaid at the time of purchase.

Response from Honourable David Forbes, Minister of Environment:

With respect to Resolution No. 17, regarding activities of the Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation (SSTC). The SSTC is the industry steward responsible for the recycling of scrap tires. They manage the day to day operations of the Scrap Tire Management Program. As the industry steward, the SSTC has set up the program and logistics to suit its operating needs and to meet quality control and quality assurance requirements of the program.

Currently, scrap tires are picked up directly at the retail level. The intent is that the consumer exchanges a scrap tire for a new tire at the time of purchase. The scrap tire is then picked up and recycled. My department is aware of the SSTC's landfill clean up program. In developing the program, special attention was placed on historically generated material. It was decided to deal with this material as funds permit. The program will deal with municipal owned stockpiles of scrap tires at our local landfills, at no cost to the community. After the community stockpiles have been dealt with, the program will move on to deal with privately generated stockpiles on farms and at other locations.

The Board of Directors of the SSTC has discussed the concept of using local landfills as marshalling yards for scrap tire collection in the past. The Board determined these marshalling yards were not feasible at the time due to concerns regarding redevelopment of stockpiles at the landfills, controlling the dropping off of scrap tires, increased costs and the free rider effect as retailers may not support the program if they see their scrap tires can easily be disposed of at the landfill. The Board, however, remains open to the concept and will revisit the topic should the need arise.

Saskatchewan Environment supports the efforts of the SSTC to run an efficient and effective product management program. We are confident in their actions as an industry steward to deliver a program that is sensitive to the needs of the consumers who fund the program and its activities, relevant to the members who participate in the program and necessary for the protection of our natural environment.