Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC), an environmental not-for-profit group dedicated to the collection and recycling of scrap tires in British Columbia, announced the return of tire collection events to British Columbia last spring.

Residents are invited to drop off old or unused tires, on or off rim, that may be lying around backyards and gardens, free of charge.

Next up is a tire collection event in Invermere on Saturday, August 24 from 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Mister Tire, 120 Industrial 2 Rd.

Once tires are collected, they are recycled and turned into new, useful products that circle back into British Columbia’s economy, such as: playground surfaces, athletic tracks, and commercial flooring and roofing. Rubber and steel is also recovered in the tire recycling process.

“With fire season upon us, it is important not to leave old or unused tires lying around at home,” said Rosemary Sutton, Executive Director, Tire Stewardship BC.

“They can also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes once rainwater collects inside. We encourage any resident with tires lying around their property to either drop them off at one of our collection events this spring or summer, or to search for a return-to-retailer location on our website and drop them off at any point throughout the year at a location that is convenient for them.”

Since 1991, over 115 million tires have been recycled in B.C., and TSBC’s scrap tire recycling program is one of the most successful in North America and the oldest recycling program in Canada. Every year in B.C. over five million scrap car tires are recycled into new products.

British Columbian residents can also leave their old tires with retailers when purchasing new ones, and if they have tires at home, they don’t need to wait for a collection event, they can search for a return-to-retailer location near them and drop them off for free, all year round.

Most places will collect up to four car tires, clean and off rim during business hours.

Tire Stewardship BC photo

Tire Stewardship BC

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