A new playground extension at Campus View Elementary School (3900 Gordon Head Rd., Victoria, BC), has been created with rubberized surfacing made from 281 recycled BC scrap tires. To assist with the costs of installation of the new soft, non-slip playground surface, the Campus View Elementary School PAC was awarded a $9,040.00 grant from TSBC in 2021.

“We are really pleased to be a part of this great community playground improvement project through our TSBC Grants Program,” said Rosemary Sutton, Executive Director, Tire Stewardship BC. “This pour-in-place, rubberized surface is not only made from BC recycled tires, but it is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and makes the area safe and accessible for all children to play on. The Campus View Elementary playground is one of many projects across British Columbia that TSBS is supporting.”

Since 2009, TSBC has given out over $5.8 million dollars in community grants to municipalities, registered non-profit community groups or organizations, schools, and First Nations and Métis settlements. In total, grants have gone towards 328 projects, including rubber surfacing for water parks, fitness areas, and running tracks,  in 94 communities throughout British Columbia. In 2022, recycled rubber from 14,928 scrap tires will be used for community projects.

“When community groups or organizations plan the new construction or rebuild of outdoor community amenities, the rubberized surfaces made from recycled scrap B.C. tires can be applied for running tracks, waterparks, walkways, and gathering areas, as well as playgrounds,” explained Sutton.  “They can be coloured and are visually attractive, as well as non-toxic, and durable. Due to their semi-porous structure, water can flow through the surface making them low maintenance during all weather conditions and they last for many years.”

TSBC’s scrap tire recycling program in BC is one of the most successful in North America and the oldest recycling program in Canada. Since the BC program was first established in 1991, over 100 million tires have been recycled, and every year the equivalent of over five million scrap vehicle tires are recycled into new products. 

For more information on Campus View Elementary School playground visit: http://campusviewpac.ca 

To find a tire recycling location near you, please visit: https://tsbc.ca/recycle-your-tires/