Tire Recycling
Res #: 6-21A
Number: 6
Year: 2021
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
WHEREAS there are costs and restrictions for tire recycling resulting in limited resources for recycling. Due to Ministry of Environment regulations, we are unable to collect and/or burn tires; and
WHEREAS when selling new tires tire retailers are required by legislation to collect a tire recycling fee from the customer and the Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan (TSS) collects those fees and provides tire collection services to the retailers; and
WHEREAS not all tire retailers offer or promote to the customer that they will take back their old tires to be recycled at no charge; and
WHEREAS the TSS offers a Return to Retailer Program to allow Saskatchewan residents to drop off old tires free of charge at a select list of tire retailers.
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to work with Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan to promote the existing Return to Retailer Program, ensure all tire retailers promote it to their customers and increase the number of free collection sites in Saskatchewan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that SARM apply to the Ministry of Environment to change their restrictions on collection of tires at the municipal levels to allow for disposal as needed.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
April 20, 2021
Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan (TSS) operates the scrap tire management program, which is approved according to The Scrap Tire Management Regulations, 2017. TSS is a non-profit corporation acting on behalf of tire retailers to ensure used tires are collected and managed efficiently and effectively using tire recycling fees. The program coordinates collection and processing of used tires and communicates the tire recycling program to the public.
The first option to recycle used tires is to leave them with a tire retailer at the time of purchase or installation of new tires. The Return to Retailer (R2R) program operated by TSS is the other option for return of used tires. The R2R program is free for residents and retailers to participate in and allows Saskatchewan residents to drop off up to 10 rimless scrap tires per visit at participating retailers.
In its product stewardship program for 2021-2023, TSS has committed to increasing the number of R2R locations. TSS aims to double R2R locations by 2023 from the current 76 locations by increasing promotion of the program. For very remote and northern landfills, alternative solutions to the standard tire collection system may be required. In these exceptional circumstances, TSS should be contacted and has committed to working with municipalities to find solutions. The ministry continues to work with TSS to improve the scrap tire management program.
The Honourable Warren Kaeding – Minister of Environment, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
