Friday April 12, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Done with the tires on your vehicle?
Almost 100% of the scrap tires generated are collected and recycled in Delta, B.C.
The majority are processed into crumb rubber, granules of rubber with the steel and fibre removed, and also into coloured mulch.
Crumb is used to create a variety of products including playground safety surfacing; athletic tracks; synthetic turf fields; and mats for agricultural and industrial use. The coloured mulch is a popular alternative to bark mulch in landscaping projects.
The remaining tires are used as a fuel supplement in the cement and pulp and paper industries.
Almost all tires can be recycled:
Almost all tires used on a motor vehicle, farm tractor, trailer, or other equipment and machinery including car tires, truck tires and some agricultural and logger/skidder tires.
Bicycle tires can also be recycled in BC.
Some exceptions do apply – check Tire Stewardship BC for details.
Why recycle tires?
Not only do scrap tires waste limited landfill space (there are estimated 275 million scrap tires in landfills across the US), but they can also contaminate groundwater, and provide breeding grounds for mosquito-borne diseases like the West Nile Virus.
Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC) is the not-for-profit society responsible for the collection, processing and environmentally sound management of all scrap tires designated under the B.C. Recycling Regulation.
Using new tires on your vehicle will save you money (better travel efficiency), keep you safer, and give you an overall better driving experience.
Where to recycle tires:
Most motorists exchange their old tires for new ones at the time of purchase.
At busy shops like Dumont Tirecraft in Sooke the tires are picked up from their shop throughout the year — anywhere from every two weeks to once a month or even possibly month and a half.
Tire recycling locations are posted online.
Tire Recycling in BC info hotline is at 1-800-667-4321.
Retailer program:
TSBC’s Return to Retailer program provides consumers a free option to return tires to participating retailers. Visit TSBC to find a Pick Up/Drop Off location.
===== RELATED:
- TRAFFIC UPDATES (Island Social Trends) – includes direct link to local Drive BC webcams
- Tire rebates at Dumont Tirecraft in Sooke (December 1, 2023)
- Vehicle engine overheating in summer (July 27, 2023)
- Vehicle service appointments can be booked online at Dumont Tirecraft (January 19, 2023)