BC has built one of Canada’s most established tire recycling programs. Now, we’re looking ahead to what’s next—and how we can create even greater environmental, economic and social impact across the province.

The Impact of Tire Recycling in BC

For 35 years, BC’s tire recycling program has been turning end-of-life tires into products with new purpose. What started as a way to keep scrap tires out of landfills has evolved into a province-wide program that creates environmental, economic and social value. And the impact reaches far beyond the tires themselves.

Today, tire recycling supports more than 500 jobs across BC. These opportunities span everything from tire collection and transportation to processing and manufacturing. Through the TSBC Community Grant Program, more than $6.8 million has been invested in 371 projects across 96 communities in BC. The grants have helped create playgrounds, fitness areas, walking paths and other public spaces using recycled tire materials.

Since 2011, thousands of orphan tires have been collected through public tire collection events. This helps keep tires out of the environment. By recovering valuable rubber, steel and fibre from used tires, BC’s recycling program also reduces the need for virgin raw materials, keeping valuable resources in use for longer.

Related: From Tires to Products: The Circular Economy in Action

Building on 35 Years of Progress

In BC, tire recycling contributes to a circular economy. Once a tire is collected, it’s processed and transformed into a new resource. Along the way, it can create jobs, support local manufacturing and improve community spaces. After 35 years of progress, the work doesn’t stop here.

The next chapter is about finding new opportunities to innovate and expanding markets for recycled tire products. It also means continuing to improve how materials are recovered and reused. Building on the strong foundation already in place, we’re looking for new ways to create value from every tire.

That will take collaboration across the tire recycling industry, continued investment in innovation, and a shared commitment to finding solutions that work for BC’s environment, economy, and communities.

At Tire Stewardship BC, our vision is to transform scrap tires to create environmental, economic, and social benefits for the residents of BC.

After 35 years, we’ve seen what’s possible when we think differently about waste. Now, we’re looking ahead to what’s next and continuing to build a more circular economy in BC, one tire at a time.

Did you miss the first posts in our “35 Years, 35 Facts” series? Catch up on them here:

• Post 1 – 35 Years of Tire Recycling in BC: From Waste to Resource
• Post 2 – Building the System: How Tire Recycling Works in BC
• Post 3 – From Tires to Products: The Circular Economy in Action
• Post 4 – 35 Years of Tire Recycling: Building Jobs, Communities, and a Circular Economy in BC

Do you have tires to recycle? Find a tire recycling location in your area by clicking on the image below.