Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) is the Industry Funding Organization (IFO) implementing and operating the approved Used Tires Program for Ontario, a province-wide scrap tire solution for On-road and Off-road tires supplied into the Ontario market, diverting them away from burning for fuel and landfilling to 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) processing and uses. The Program officially launched September 1, 2009.
Established in accordance with the Waste Diversion Act of 2002, OTS has been set up by Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO), which is responsible for developing, implementing and operating diversion programs for designated wastes and monitoring their effectiveness and efficiency. OTS is composed of Brand Owners and First Importers of tires in Ontario, called Stewards.
The Used Tires Program is funded by these Stewards, who must remit a Tire Stewardship Fee (TSF) to OTS for every tire they supply into the Ontario market. These TSFs will be used exclusively to fund all aspects of the Program related to the management of used tires. Collection, storage, transportation, reuse and recycling, processing, research and development, and consumer education are key elements of the Used Tires Program Plan.
OTS will provide financial incentives for registered organizations that collect, transport, and process scrap tires or manufacture scrap tires into recycled products in accordance with the Program Plan. These incentives will promote sustainable development and new markets for recycled materials and innovative uses for recycled rubber products. In the first year of the Program this will represent a $23 million investment in the Ontario tire recycling industry, stimulating economic growth and helping to increase capacity.
Within five years, the Program will divert 90% of scrap on-road tires and collect and recycle 50% of all scrap off-road tires.
The Used Tires Program Plan is reflective of extensive consultation with manufacturers, retailers, haulers, processors, environmental non-government organizations, municipalities and other stakeholders, and represents an innovative, results-based diversion program for scrap tires in Ontario in a manner that is both environmentally responsible and economically sound.
Established in accordance with the Waste Diversion Act of 2002, OTS has been set up by Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO), which is responsible for developing, implementing and operating diversion programs for designated wastes and monitoring their effectiveness and efficiency. OTS is composed of Brand Owners and First Importers of tires in Ontario, called Stewards. 
OTS Website: