For 35 years, BC’s tire recycling program has been giving new life to old tires. Through TSBC’s recycling program, millions of end-of-life tires have been collected and transformed into valuable new materials instead of becoming waste. Those materials are then used to manufacture products that support communities, businesses, and industries across the province.

It’s a great example of the circular economy in action, where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, creating value well beyond their original purpose.

Related: 35 years of tire recycling in BC: From waste to resource

The Journey Begins with Crumb Rubber

Every recycled tire starts its next chapter at a BC recycling facility. After the tires are collected, they are processed to remove the steel and fibre, leaving behind clean rubber. That rubber is then ground into crumb rubber, a versatile material that becomes the building block for new products.

Rather than relying on virgin materials, manufacturers can use recycled crumb rubber to create new, durable, long-lasting products. It’s a simple idea with a big impact: yesterday’s tires become today’s community spaces.

From Tire Waste to New Products

Many residents of BC have probably walked, played, or worked on products made from recycled BC tires without even realizing it.

One of the most recognizable uses is landscaping mulch. Recycled rubber mulch provides a long-lasting alternative to traditional wood mulch, helping retain its appearance over time while reducing the need for frequent replacement.

Crumb rubber also plays an important role in creating safer playgrounds. Rubber safety surfacing helps cushion falls, making playgrounds, schools, and community parks safer places for children to learn and play. Every surface made from recycled tire rubber represents another way that yesterday’s tires continue to benefit future generations.

Related: 4 innovative products made in BC using recycled rubber

The same performance benefits make recycled rubber ideal for sports and fitness flooring. Whether it’s in community recreation centres, weight rooms, or fitness facilities, rubber flooring provides durability, shock absorption, and slip resistance that stand up to years of heavy use.

Beyond recreation, recycled tire rubber supports BC’s agricultural and transportation sectors as well. Livestock mats provide durable, comfortable flooring for barns and agricultural operations, while truck bed liners help protect vehicles from daily wear and tear. These practical products are just some examples of how versatile a recycled tire can be.

Innovation That Keeps the Circle Going

The story doesn’t end once a tire becomes crumb rubber. Innovation continues to drive new uses for recycled materials, allowing manufacturers to develop products that meet demanding performance and safety standards while reducing the need for new raw materials.

Every new application helps strengthen British Columbia’s circular economy by keeping valuable resources in use and supporting local businesses that manufacture products from recycled tire rubber.

Related: Building the system: How tire recycling works in BC

35 Years of Giving Tires a Second Life

For more than three decades, BC’s tire recycling program has shown that recycling is about much more than diverting waste from landfill. It’s about creating opportunities, supporting local manufacturing, and finding new ways to make the most of existing resources.

From crumb rubber to landscaping mulch, playgrounds, sports flooring, livestock mats, and truck bed liners, every recycled tire tells a story of transformation—one that has been unfolding in BC for 35 years and continues to grow with every tire recycled.

Got old tires to recycle? Take them to a tire recycling location in your area today. Click on the image below to find one in your area.