Over 12,000 Scrap Car Tires Collected in First Nations Communities
In 2024, the First Nations Recycling Initiative (FNRI) proudly collaborated with 32 First Nations communities, the Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group (IZWTAG), and 11 stewardship organizations operating in BC, including Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC). This partnership focuses on addressing waste accumulation in First Nations communities in BC, with an emphasis on long-term sustainability and environmental stewardship.
For many First Nations communities, years of accumulated waste require ongoing efforts beyond a single cleanup. Consequently, the FNRI’s commitment is to work with communities eager to remove these materials, transitioning from accumulation removal to a maintenance phase over time. Notably, this year’s efforts highlighted the impact of building relationships with regional districts and fostering collaboration to enhance waste management practices across BC.
In 2024, the FNRI completed 31 cleanups across various communities. To highlight these efforts, below is a list of the communities that partnered in this initiative last year.
First Nations Communities Included in Partnership in 2024
- Wuikinuxv Village
- Telegraph Creek
- Tarslip
- Lilwat
- Heiltsuk Nation
- Dease River
- Seton Lake
- Homolco
- Zeballos
- Ahousaht
- Malahat
- Penticton Indian Band
- Seabird Island
- Tla’amin
- New Ayainsh (Nass Valley)
- Iskut
- Skowkale
- Lheidli T’enneh
- Canim Lake
- Yunesitin
- Dog Creek
- Takla Lake
- Esketemec
- Seton Lake/Fall
- Gitwangak
- Gitwinksihlkw
- Samahquam
- Skeetchestn
- Nooatich
- Tit’get
- Kitasoo
- Kingcome
Related: Thank You, BC! Over 14,000 Orphan Tires Recycled Thanks to Tire Collection Events in 2024
As a result of this hard work, over 12,000 car tire equivalents were collected from First Nations communities in 2024. Furthermore, additional tires remain to be addressed in cleanup initiatives planned for 2025. Beyond tire collection, the cleanups successfully recovered a diverse range of recyclable and refundable materials, including:
- Major household appliances
- Flexible plastics and foam packaging
- Electronics and electric outdoor power equipment
- Paper, packaging, and cardboard
- Plastic containers, cartons, and paper cups
- Aluminum and steel containers
- Glass bottles and jars
The work of the FNRI, however, extends well beyond cleanups. Additionally, its initiatives include community engagement events, on-site visits, and direct collaborations with First Nations communities and Regional Districts to tackle waste management and recycling challenges.
Looking ahead to 2025, the FNRI plans to build on this year’s achievements by identifying additional First Nations communities needing cleanup initiatives. Moreover, it looks to strengthen partnerships with stewardship organizations to implement more effective materials cleanup and collection programs.
