It was a busy spring for Ontario Tire Stewardship. To raise awareness about tire recycling and highlight how Ontario tire-derived rubber can be reimagined into innovative products, we launched several province-wide programs including the OARA Tire Take Back fundraising collection initiative, the 2016 Community Renewal Fund and our annual RethinkTires RoadTrip.
 
In its seventh year, the OARA Tire Take Back is OTS’ biggest tire collection initiative of the year. The program encourages Ontarians to drop off their old tires to raise money for The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, a charitable organization that makes dreams come true for children with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. The annual event took place in May in partnership with more than 60 collectors across Ontario, Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA), Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and OTS. Each tire dropped off at participating collectors translated into a donation for The Sunshine Foundation. Last year more than 64,000 tires were collected across Ontario, raising over $118,000. The 2016 event results will be announced this summer.
 
On June 1^st, OTS launched the 2016 Community Renewal Fund (CRF), which gives communities up to $50,000 toward building or renewing spaces using sustainable materials made with recycled Ontario tire rubber. The grant is open to municipalities, registered non-profit community groups or organizations, as well as schools, colleges, universities, and First Nations communities throughout Ontario. To qualify, projects must utilize products made from Ontario recycled rubber and be completed within 12 months of approval. Communities can apply online in September for wave two of the CRF at Rethinktires.ca.   
 
This spring also marked the kickoff of the 2016 RethinkTires RoadTrip. Touring across the province, the team is sharing information about how to properly maintain tires, where to recycle used tires and showcasing sustainable products designed using recycled Ontario tire rubber.
 
If you’d like to meet the RethinkTires RoadTrip team, visit one of their 34 stops on the tour – locations and dates can be found on the tour schedule.
 

Market Watch Poor Market for recycled products means less money for waste diversion program Revenue generated through recycling programs in Sudbury have seen a significant decline as a result of a poor economic market and an overall decrease in consumer consumption. Due to the limited market for materials such as glass, taxpayers are facing costs of up to $50,000 per year to recycle glass jars and bottles. In addition, even less revenue is generated if recycled items are mixed, such as paper and plastic, or if they are not properly rinsed before put in the blue box. One solution recommended by the Recycling Council of Ontario is to have companies cover the costs associated with the disposal of their packaging materials thrown out by consumers. This could lead to more interest and education about proper recycling habits to reduce costs, proposed as part of the new Waste Free Ontario Act.  Find the full article here. Upcoming Events RethinkTires Summer Roadtrip: June - Sept Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference: August 14-17  International Plowing Match: September 20-24

VIEWPOINTS This past spring we announced the names of our 2015 Community Renewal Fund (CRF) recipients. One notable project that received funding was a playground design championed by the Chenier family of L’Original, in Champlain Township, Ontario. The Cheniers were inspired to build a park in memory of their beloved son, Sacha, who had severe disabilities and had sadly passed away.    Read the full story on our blog here.