By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express

What do playground equipment, athletic turf, interlocking bricks, speed bumps, livestock
feeders, belts and guitar straps have in common? They are all made with recycled tires. And the Region of Durham is hoping to recycle its endless amount of used tires to aid in making these. The regional works committee’s latest recommendation to council – a program that would recycle used tires - will also be another step towards achieving the zero waste diversion goal across Durham. The Used Tire Program Plan (UTPP) is a diversion program that would deal with used tires that are generated across the entire province. It would be created in cooperation with Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO), a non-profit corporation created under the Waste Diversion Act to develop, implement and operate waste diversion programs in Ontario, states a regional works committee report.

“This is a big step by the province and a big step for us,” says Regional Chair Roger Anderson.“It’s another diversion program that will hopefully help us recycle some tires and prevent them from being thrown in fields.” The program would also substantially lessen the financial burden the region currently endures when disposing of tires. The region pays to haul and process about 400 tonnes of used tires every year at three transfer stations in Durham, states the report. Last year the region was forced to fork over $108,661 to collect, transport and process the 4,010 tires collected. While the tipping fee revenues of $48,000, which are enforced at the transfer stations, offset this cost it still costs the region more than $60,000 to recycle the tires. This funding is made possible through the region’s Solid Waste Management Annual Operating budget, explains the report.

The recycled tires are now being shipped to Ontario Tire Recovery of Hagersville who sell the tires to Ontario, Quebec and the United States. If the region were to adopt the UTPP, provided council approves it, the region would save money.“Hopefully in 2012 and 2011, we’ll start
seeing some savings from it,” adds Anderson. OTS will pay 100 per cent of the transport
and processing costs, says the report. They collect fees from tire brand o w n e r s , importers and vehicle manufacturers to pay for the program. Once, and if, the region signs on as an OTS Collector, it would be paid for every tire recycled – 88 cents for off-road and passenger tires and $3.05 for larger tires.

This could amount to $35,000 for the tires. The program plan costs are about $22,000 per year, says the report. To meet the OTS conditions and be signed on as a participant, the region would have to limit the number of tires accepted at its transfer stations, waive tipping fees for those carrying only tires, continue charging $120 per tonne for loads that are made of more than tires and work with OTS and area municipalities to facilitate the collection of used tires from those who have stockpiles. The region would also have to develop a promotional and educational campaign informing the public and stakeholders of the program. This would include educating people on how to prolong the life of a tire.

The UTPP program came about when Ontario’s Minister of the Environment designated used tires as a divertible material under the Waste Diversion Act in March 2003. Every year, 12,000 tires are generated in Ontario, says the report. The UTPP program was approved in April
2009 and introduced to the region earlier this month. Used tires, if they are still roadworthy, can be used to make playground surfaces, curbs, rubberized asphalt to pave streets and highways, landscape mulch and parts for new vehicles. The matter will be discussed in front of council today. If approved, the region will sign a contract with the OTS allowing them to participate.