Collection of used tires underway

The Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) today announced that Newfoundland Envirotire Shreds Incorporated (NETS) has begun to collect used tires. NETS will place priority on collecting tires from the Works, Services and Transportation depots and larger tire retailers. The pick up of used tires will then expand to include a province-wide collection system for other tire retailers, garages, and municipal landfill sites. Once collected, these tires will be transported to the NETS facility in Stephenville.

"I am very pleased to see the used tire recycling program moving forward in a positive direction," said Gordon Seabright, MMSB chairman. "With the continued cooperation and support from government, tire retailers, municipalities, and the general public, this program will be a tremendous success."

This current collection system will alleviate the stockpile of tires generated since the used tire program started on April 1, 2002. NETS first priority is to collect tires from the most populated areas of the province, including the Avalon Peninsula and West Coast. Tire retailers and garages can also call NETS toll-free at 1-866-343-8473 to arrange a pick up of their used tires. NETS will then arrange a pick up schedule and notify the business when their tires will be collected.

Since May, many of the Works, Services and Transportation depots across the province have been collecting used tires from the general public and tire retailers. Effective Tuesday, November 12 the public and retailers should call NETS for collection and drop-off information.

The Minister of Environment, Kevin Aylward said: "The Used Tire Recycling Program is a key component of our Waste Management Strategy. It is estimated that approximately 540,000 passenger tire equivalents (PTEs) are disposed of each year in Newfoundland and Labrador. This represents a significant diversion of solid waste from our waste disposal sites."

Now that the tires are moving to a new storage site, the Works Services and Transportation depots will accept tires for another few weeks during the transition period. The tire retailers will be notified by MMSB and radio advertisements will inform the general public of the toll-free number to inquire about the new collection sites throughout the province.

The used tire recycling program is administered by MMSB on behalf of the Department of Environment. The administration of the program is paid for by the implementation of a levy system on the sale of tires up to and including a rim size of 24.5 inches. MMSB has contracted Newfoundland Envirotire Shreds Inc. to collect, transport, and process used tires in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Media contact:

Karen O�Neill, MMSB, (709) 753-0949
Cynthia Layden-Barron, Department of Environment, (709) 729-2575

2002 11 08                                        3:25 p.m.