Every year across British Columbia, thousands of old tires sit behind sheds, stack up on rural properties, or wait in garages; too bulky to ignore, too important to throw away. Through Tire Stewardship BC’s (TSBC) tire recycling program, residents of BC can drop off their old tires and give them a second life.

In addition to Return-to-Retailer free drop-off locations, 2025 saw communities across the province come together at free tire collection events. TSBC coordinated 23 events across 18 locations, partnering with regional districts, municipalities, community groups, recycling depots, and tire retailers. Together, these events collected 15,091 old tires that might otherwise have ended up in landfills or stored indefinitely.

From island communities like Mayne Island and Sayward, to interior hubs such as Kelowna, Salmon Arm, and Prince George, residents showed up with their old tires. Some events were large, busy drop-offs; others supported local cleanup initiatives in remote areas. Every tire dropped off was collected.

What Happens to Your Old Tires in BC?

A common question we hear at events is: “What actually happens to these tires?”

Once collected, tires are transported to Liberty Tire Recycling’s facility in Delta, where they are processed and transformed into recycled rubber right here in BC. This rubber is then used by manufacturers in BC to create durable, innovative products.

Old BC tires can become:

• Playground surfacing
• Running tracks and fitness areas
• Walkways and trails
• Water park and recreation surfaces

Instead of taking up space in landfills or harming the environment, recycled tires are turned into long-lasting surfaces that help make public spaces safer, more accessible, and more inclusive.

Related: TSBC Community Grant Program: 2025 Highlights and When You Can Apply for 2026

A Province-Wide Effort with Local Impact

Behind the scenes, TSBC worked to improve efficiency and reduce waste. A new partnership with Kal Tire helped significantly reduce the number of rims entering the recycling stream, lowering costs and improving logistics at several events.

BC has one of the oldest scrap tire recycling programs in Canada, and it works because residents participate. Every tire dropped off matters:

• Prevent landfill disposal
• Protect land and waterways
• Support local manufacturing using recycled materials
• Create safer, more accessible community spaces

The tire you recycle today could become part of a fitness surface in your community tomorrow. Tire collection events are just one part of BC’s tire recycling system. Residents can drop off their old tires for free, year-round, at Return-to-Retailer locations across the province. To recycle your tires, find a location near you here.

Since 1991, over 122 million tires have been processed in BC.

Want to learn what products are made from recycled BC tires?