TORONTO — Ontario’s Used Tires Program Plan for the disposal of pre-owned tires kicks in next week, on Sept. 1.

The Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) takes the same approach the province applies to the disposal of products like used electronics
and hazardous waste — charging a Tire Stewardship Fee to brand owners and first importers to divert tires away from being burning and landfilling to more environmental processing, uses, and other rubber markets.  

The money will be used to fund the management of used tires, such as collection, storage, transportation, reuse and recycling, processing, and research and development.

Of course, the fee will be administered by passing it along to the end-user at the time of a new tire purchase. Fees range from $5 per tire for cars and light trucks to around $15 for commercial trucks. Larger off-road equipment will be $22 more per tire.

Within five years, the program is expected to divert 90 percent of scrap on-road tires and collect and recycle 50 percent of all scrap off-road tires.

Through the registered database at OTS, registered "haulers" who sign up to transport tires will have access to a network of registered "Collectors and Processors."

By registering to be a "hauler" your company’s name will be published on the OTS website. "You will benefit from increased industry exposure, while creating a positive, environmentally friendly outlook for your organization through your support of recycling initiatives in Ontario," says the government.