Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us

Provincial used tire recycling program launched

Environment Minister Ralph Wiseman today announced the implementation of a recycling program for used tires.

"Based upon a proposal call issued by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board in April 2001 for the development of a used tire management program, I am pleased to announce that Municipal Recyclers Limited of Argentia has been awarded a contract for the collection, transportation and processing of used tires in the province," said Minister Wiseman.

The principal objective of the program is to ensure that used tires generated in the province are disposed of without negatively affecting the environment. Municipal Recyclers Limited will be responsible for establishing collection sites throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, for transporting used tires from those collection sites to its processing facility in Argentia, and for processing the used tires into crumb rubber. The company will also be responsible for marketing and selling its processed product. Initially, the company anticipates creating six to eight jobs, with 25-30 full-time positions created when the program is fully implemented.

"Government recognizes the importance of recycling programs in reducing the amount of waste going into provincial landfill sites and the collection and recycling of used tires will help to decrease that volume," said Minister Wiseman.

It is estimated that approximately 500,000 tires are disposed of each year in Newfoundland and Labrador. Minister Wiseman explained that disposing used tires into landfill sites creates a number of environmental problems. "Used tires are very resistant to decomposition and, even when they are covered over with fill, over time they tend to float to the surface in landfill sites. Tires also create a breeding ground for insects and vermin. In addition, burning tires creates a toxic smoke. Implementing a recycling program for used tires will eliminate these problems," he said.

As part of the used tire recycling program, government is implementing a ban on the disposal of used tires in landfill sites. The ban will be effective April 1, 2002.

Minister Wiseman also announced that tire retailers will be charged a levy on the sale of new tires to cover the cost of administering the used tire program. "There are costs associated with protecting our environment, such as the costs to operate recycling programs. Effective April 1, 2002, tire retailers will be charged a levy of $3.00 on all new passenger and light truck tires with a rim size up to17 inches and a $9.00 levy on tires with a rim size greater than 17 inches," he explained. "The levy will not apply to tires with a rim size greater than 24.5 inches in size, or to tires for wheelchairs, bicycles, farm equipment, and all-terrain vehicles. For tires larger than 24.5 inches, suppliers will be expected to develop their own stewardship program. However, the disposal ban will apply."

The used tire recycling program will be administered by the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, a crown agency with a mandate to develop, implement, and manage waste diversion programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. "The Department of Environment and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board have been working closely together to develop this new recycling initiative for our province; we will continue to work together to ensure that the tire recycling program is implemented as smoothly as possible. The addition of used tires to MMSB�s waste management mandate is another positive step toward environmental health in the province," said Gordon Seabright, MMSB chair.

Media contact:

Diane Keough, Environment, (709) 729-2575.
Karen O�Neill, MMSB, (709) 753-0949.

2002 02 06                         2:40 p.m.