Ontario’s tire recycling system is facing renewed scrutiny as collection challenges, proposed regulatory changes and supply chain pressures affect the movement of end-of-life tires across the province. In a commentary for Autosphere, Carol Hochu, President of the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, said the current situation shows how complex tire recycling systems can be, involving collectors, haulers, processors, end markets and regulatory oversight. Disruptions in any part of this network can create bottlenecks across the system, affecting tire generators, producer responsibility organizations and recycling service providers. The discussion comes as Ontario considers new measures intended to strengthen accountability, prevent large tire stockpiles and ensure that used tires continue moving into responsible recycling and repurposing channels.

Stakeholders seek solutions to collection issues

According to Hochu, discussions are continuing between industry participants, government and the regulator as stakeholders work to address current tire collection challenges and reduce the risk of similar disruptions in the future. The shared objective is to maintain effective collection services while ensuring that used tires are managed in an environmentally responsible way. Stakeholders have emphasized the need to resolve operational issues, protect confidence in Ontario’s tire management framework and support both immediate improvements and longer-term system resilience.

Ontario considers three-month recycling requirement

One proposed regulatory change would require collected tires to be recycled or repurposed within three months of collection. Supporters of the measure see it as a way to prevent large-scale accumulations of end-of-life tires and encourage more efficient movement through the tire recycling system. However, Hochu noted that implementation would require careful planning because tire management depends on processing schedules, transport availability, seasonal demand and market conditions, all of which can affect how quickly material moves through the supply chain.

PROs may face new collection timelines

A second proposed change would require producer responsibility organizations to collect tires from sites with 50 or more accumulated tires within one to two months. For end-of-life tire generators, this could provide greater certainty about pickup timelines and reduce the risk of growing tire stockpiles. For PROs, haulers and service providers, meeting fixed collection windows could require additional logistics coordination, transportation capacity and contingency planning, particularly during periods of high tire replacement activity.

Province reviews stronger enforcement measures

The third proposed change would remove the current $1 million cap on non-compliance fines. Stakeholders are reviewing how stronger enforcement powers could affect compliance behavior, operational risk and program costs. Hochu noted that, as with any regulatory reform, the impact will depend not only on the wording of the requirements but also on how they are implemented and enforced in practice.

Recycling systems operate as supply chains

The current challenges show that tire recycling programs function as supply chains, not only as collection systems. Collection is the first step, but successful recycling and repurposing also depend on transportation networks, processing infrastructure, end-market demand, investment and regulatory certainty. If one part of the system is disrupted, used tires can accumulate at collection sites, retailers, municipal depots or other generators before reaching approved recycling or recovery routes.

Ontario system has diverted millions of tires

Ontario’s end-of-life tire management system has diverted millions of tires from landfill over the years. However, recent challenges underline the need for flexibility, coordination and resilience as market conditions change. End-of-life tires can support several tire recycling and rubber recycling applications, including crumb rubber, molded rubber products, rubberized asphalt, tire-derived fuel and other repurposed materials, depending on processing capacity and market demand.

Common interest remains reliable tire management

Hochu said industry participants, regulators, government and service providers share a common interest in keeping Ontario’s tire recycling system effective and capable of meeting public and industry needs. Whether through operational improvements, regulatory changes or a combination of both, the focus remains on building a system that can reliably collect, recycle and repurpose used tires while adapting to changing supply chain conditions.

Article source: Autosphere.ca.