With locations across Ontario, through stores, vehicle dealerships, garages, municipalities and many more, Collectors are the organizations that provide a valuable service to the consumer by collecting used tires. These are the tires that are diverted from the waste stream, such as disposal in a landfill or by burning, to recycling into new products that add value to the life of Ontario’s communities.
Funded by tire Brand Owners and First Importers, collectively called Stewards, the Used Tire Program is supported by Tire Stewardship Fees levied on each tire supplied into Ontario. These fees are collected by Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) and will allow the Program to manage the collection, storage, transportation, reuse and recycling, and processing of used tires.
Ontario residents can now drop up to 4 passenger car tires free of charge at all OTS registered collection locations with no obligation to make a purchase. They must be off the rim and free of mud and debris.
An extensive network of collection locations across the province including many tire retailers and municipalities will make it easier for Ontario consumers to recycle their used tires, while tracking systems will help eliminate illegal dumping of scrap tires and ensure that tires are managed by service providers that have adopted best practices.
A list of all registered collection locations is available on the OTS website by region.
Role and Requirements of Collectors
Once registered with OTS and the Used Tires Program, Collectors are responsible for meeting the following requirements:
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Reporting on the types and quantity of tires they collect
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Accepting free used tire drop-offs for the types of used tires that they agree to collect (and that are part of the Program Plan). In addition to those tires, registered Collectors who are retailers are obligated to accept up to 4 used tires per person at no charge without the person having to make a purchase.
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Storing tires in accordance with Ministry of Environment and Fire Marshall Regulations, and in a manner that ensures they are free of foreign material and excessive moisture, and are secure and accessible for easy pick up
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Using OTS registered Haulers for free pick up of tires
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Keeping records of the number of used tires accumulated and the Hauler(s) who pick up their used tires in accordance with OTS requirements
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Agree to wait until a minimum number of tires have been accumulated before calling for a pick-up. The minimum number of tires is 50 tires in Southern Ontario, and 75 tires for Northern Ontario. However, this number is negotiable between the registered Collector and registered Hauler
Incentives for Collectors
Registered Collectors that meet the above Used Tires Program requirements are eligible for the following benefits and incentives:
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Free pick up of used tires by registered haulers
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OTS point of sale (POS) material for customers
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Your name posted on the OTS website as a registered Collector
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Registered Collectors will receive a Used Tire Collection Allowance on tires received from residents:
Used Tires Program Collection Incentive Chart (Year 1)
Program Tire Classification
Incentive per PTE
Passenger Light Truck (PL/T) Tires
$0.88
Medium Truck (MT) Tires
$3.05
Off the Road (OTR) Tires (< or = 1 PTE)
$0.88
Off the Road (OTR) Tires ( > 1 PTE)
$3.05
**One (1) Passenger Tire Equivalent (PTE) is equal to ten (10) kg**
