As summer approaches in Ontario, the provincial government is looking to revamp regulations concerning the recycling of used tires, sparking concerns from critics.
Under the proposed changes, producer responsibility organizations (PROs), which are third-party companies contracted by tire producers for recycling management, would be mandated to pick up tires from any location with more than 50 tires upon request. The Ministry of the Environment in Ontario also stipulates that PROs must adhere to specified response times.
The aim of these changes is to prevent the accumulation of old tires, following incidents where hundreds of thousands of tires were left unattended at two sites in Ontario last year. However, Peter Tabuns, the NDP critic for the Ministry, believes the amendments fall short of addressing the core issue. Tabuns highlights that the government reduced the required percentage of tires to be recycled from 85% to 65%, a move that continues to exacerbate tire collection challenges.
According to Gary Wheeler, spokesperson for the Environment Ministry, the proposed amendments are intended to prevent tire stockpiling and disruptions in collection processes. PROs would be mandated to collect tires within specific timeframes, especially during peak tire change seasons, to ensure prompt disposal.
The changes also include removing the $1-million cap on administrative penalties to enhance enforcement measures. The goal is to establish stricter deterrence against non-compliance with recycling regulations.
Adam Moffatt, executive director of the Ontario Tire Dealers Association, expresses concerns about the growing number of scrap tires during seasonal tire changeovers. He fears that without increased collection efforts, the province may witness a resurgence of tire stockpiling issues similar to those experienced previously.
Since 2019, tire producers in Ontario have been accountable for recycling used tires, with the option to delegate this responsibility to PROs. However, the recent reduction in recycling targets by the government has led to a decrease in the number of tires being collected for recycling, processing, and disposal.
Karen Wirsig from Environmental Defence emphasizes the environmental and health risks associated with tire stockpiles, advocating for safe and efficient tire processing methods to avoid pollution and safety hazards.
Maury Shnier, president of Mobius Pro Services, suggests simplifying the amendments by reinstating higher performance targets for tire producers to drive market-driven solutions.
The public has until May 2 to provide feedback on the proposed amendments.