Scrap Tire Recycling Program

The Ministry of Environment announced changes to the province's scrap tire recycling program in April 2017 and released new scrap tire recycling regulations in June 2017 to reflect changing industry needs in Saskatchewan and address increasing public expectations for governance, accountability and transparency. The new regulations will ensure Saskatchewan continues to have an effective scrap tire collection program that promotes a sustainable recycling industry within the province.

The new regulations ensure authority exists to:

• Include clearly defined desired outcomes, expectations and performance measures for the program.
• Identify expected governance for the program operator including membership, board size and composition, and establishment of an advisory committee(s) to ensure strong industry and Saskatchewan representation and input, as well as proper oversight, transparency and accountability with government and key stakeholders.
• Clarify the roles, responsibilities, rights and obligations of each of the key stakeholders within the scrap tire stewardship system in the province, including for the provincial government, retailers, the approved program operator, processors, collectors and municipal governments.
• Define process for setting fees that are reasonable, minimize cross-subsidization and are in alignment with industry and consumer expectations.
• Require that a new product stewardship program (PSP) be approved every three years, which replaces the previous PSP, with all contents within a single document.
• Enable the ministry to define and enforce – in the regulations, through policy or otherwise – acceptable end uses, permitting and licensing requirements through the ministry, including financial assurances for reclamation and standards for storing on site, unlawful dumping and acceptable end uses.
• Increase reporting requirements from the program operator to government, stakeholders and public.
• Enable the ministry to apply oversight and enforcement procedures, including regular audits and penalties for non-compliance for the program operator. This could include independent reviews.
• Require the program operator to establish comprehensive contractual arrangements with processors to provide clear guidelines and allow for better planning regarding tire shipment flow, to enable sustainability for Saskatchewan industry.
• Limit shipping of tires outside of Saskatchewan to occur unless extraordinary circumstances where Saskatchewan processors do not have the capacity to handle tires.

The ministry has developed PSP guidelines to provide an overview of the requirements and contents of the PSP, program operator reporting requirements, important program considerations, and PSP evaluation criteria. In evaluating a PSP submission, the Minister will need to know if the proposed PSP:

• Addresses the requirements prescribed in The Scrap Tire Management Regulations, 2017 and the guidance document.
• Provides province-wide tire recycling and collection, including services in northern and remote communities.
• Is financially able to cover the costs of managing the program, and delivers the best value and outcomes from tire recycling fees paid by consumers.
• Incorporates collaboration, consultation and feedback mechanisms with industry and key stakeholders related to important program decisions, operations and management.
• Demonstrates strong communication, transparency and accountability with industry, stakeholders and the public for an effective and efficient operation.
• Manages greenhouse gas emissions related to the collection and transportation of scrap tires in a manner that will result in the smallest possible amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Promotes a climate for industry investment and sustainability in the province.
• Incorporates the Saskatchewan Industry Sustainability Hierarchy – Best Management Practices and Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Use frameworks.
• Outlines short- and long-term plans to clean up legacy stockpiles in Saskatchewan and tools to prevent stockpiling of scrap tires in the future.