Released on September 17, 1998
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM) Minister LorneScott today announced that the province has implemented regulations
for all tire retailers to have a tire collection and recycling program
or to contract an agency to provide this service. The regulations
apply to both direct retailers and indirect retailers such as
automobile and implement dealers.
"We are committed to working with industry to reduce overall costs to
society of managing waste and protecting the environment," Scott said.
"These regulations will ensure that used tires are collected and
recycled across the province. There will be fewer tires in
Saskatchewan's waste stream and fewer environmental risks from tires
in landfills."
Over one million scrap tires are generated annually in the province
and they reduce the life of landfills, provide refuge for pests and
create fire hazards that have environmental and health risks. The
Scrap Tire Management Regulations are compatible with similar
regulations and programs operated in both Alberta and Manitoba.
"The Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation (SSTC) initiated a
voluntary program in 1996 that was supported by a number of tire
dealers, but it became apparent over time that a voluntary
program was not financially viable," SSTC Chairperson, Don
Schlosser said. "These regulations will level the playing field
for all tire dealers."
The industry-driven SSTC was formed for the purpose of managing
the collection and recycling of scrap tires. The consumer pays a
recycling fee to the tire retailer who in turn remits it to the
SSTC. The SSTC contracts an approved and recognized processing
firm to collect the tires and deliver them to a recycling plant.
Some of the numerous products that are made from recycled tires
include playground equipment, vehicle ramps, civil engineering
material and alternate fuels. Tire recycling has created 150
jobs in Saskatchewan.
The SSTC is a non-profit organization comprised of a board of
directors from the Western Canadian Tire Dealers Association,
Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, Saskatchewan
Association of Rural Municipalities, Canadian Automobile
Association Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Automobile Dealers
Association, Canada West Equipment Dealers Association,
Saskatchewan Trucking Association, Canadian Tire Corporation and
the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council.
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ruggles Don Schlosser
Environmental Protection Branch SSTC
SERM Regina
Regina Phone: (306) 842-4144
Phone: (306) 787-6178 (306) 721-8473