In 2019, the Ontario government implemented the Tires Regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, making tire producers responsible for collecting and managing used tires in the province.
This includes reusing, retreading, and recycling them.
To comply with this regulation and promote environmental responsibility, Canadian Tire established the Ontario Used Tire Recycling Program.
So what does Canadian Tire accept old and used tires?
Keep reading to find out more.
Does Canadian Tire accept old or used tires?
The answer is yes, Canadian Tire accepts used tires for recycling in all their Ontario locations (except Toronto Eaton Centre and Toronto Liberty Village).
This is part of their commitment to the Ontario Used Tire Recycling Program.
When you buy new tires at Canadian Tire, a recycling fee is included in the cost.
This fee contributes to the program’s overall expenses, covering the collection, transportation, and processing of used tires.
What tires does Canadian Tire recycle?
Canadian Tire accepts a wide range of used tires for recycling, including:
- Passenger car tires
- Light truck tires
- SUV tires
- Off-road vehicle (ORV) tires
- Studded tires (once the studs are removed)
How does the Canadian Tire Ontario used tire recycling program work?
Here’s a breakdown of how the program works at Canadian Tire:
- Tire Drop-off: You can simply bring your used tires, with or without rims, to any participating Canadian Tire location in Ontario during regular business hours.
- Fees: There are no additional fees to drop off your used tires at Canadian Tire, as the recycling fee is already included in the purchase of new tires.
- Accepted Tires: Canadian Tire accepts all types of used tires, regardless of their condition, brand, or size. This includes car tires, light truck tires, and even motorcycle tires.
- Recycling Process: Once collected, the used tires are transported to specialized recycling facilities. Here, they undergo a multi-step process to be broken down and transformed into new products.
Why recycle your used tires at Canadian Tire?
There are several compelling reasons to recycle your used tires at Canadian Tire:
- Environmental Responsibility: Recycling used tires helps divert them from landfills, reducing their environmental impact. Landfills can take up valuable space, and decomposing tires can release harmful pollutants into the environment.
- Resource Conservation: Recycling used tires allows them to be repurposed into new products, conserving valuable resources and reducing the need for virgin materials.
- Convenience: Canadian Tire offers a convenient and accessible way to dispose of your used tires responsibly. You can simply drop them off at your local store during your regular shopping trip.
- Compliance with Regulations: If you live in Ontario, it’s important to note that it’s illegal to dispose of used tires improperly. Recycling your tires at Canadian Tire ensures you comply with provincial regulations.
What happens to used tires after they are recycled?
The recycling process for used tires involves several steps:
- Sorting and Inspection: Used tires are first sorted and inspected to separate them by size, type, and condition.
- Tire Shredding: The tires are then shredded into small pieces, creating tire chips or crumb rubber.
- Processing: The tire chips or crumb rubber undergo further processing, which may involve removing steel belts and other non-rubber components.
- Reusing and Recycling: The processed tire materials are then used to create new products like:
- Playground surfaces
- Running tracks
- Rubber mulch for landscaping
- Road base materials
- Tire-derived fuel
