A scene of disarray greets visitors outside Hillman’s Auto Centre in the Southcrest area of London. Over 100 discarded car tires are heaped near a tree, still damp from recent snowmelt. This accumulation of tires is not unique to this location, as tire stockpiles have been increasing in Ontario due to a slowdown in tire recycling operations following reductions in the province’s recycling goals.
The owner of Hillman’s Auto Centre, Jamie Hillman, mentioned that it has been a while since any of his tires were collected for recycling. He noted the unusually large pile of 100 to 150 tires, a size not previously seen. Since 2019, tire producers in Ontario have been mandated to meet specific targets for recycling used tires annually. The recycling target for the weight of collected tires decreased from 85% to 65% in 2025.
Auto shop owners have observed a decline in the promptness of tire pickup services, with some expressing concerns about the lack of communication and delays in tire removal. James Wands, a manager at Ron’s Quality Auto Centre, shared his experience of accumulating around 140 tires over five months before they were eventually collected.
Many tire producers enlist the help of organizations like eTracks for tire collection and recycling services. While eTracks confirmed a backlog in pickups, they emphasized that they have not ceased managing recycling collections. Melissa Carlaw, the Vice President of Communications and Sustainability at eTracks, highlighted the organization’s efforts to exceed provincial recycling regulations by about 20% in 2025.
The prolonged delays in tire pickups have raised concerns among garage owners about potential issues in storage space and environmental hazards. Stagnant water in the tires could become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, posing health risks. If the situation persists, some shop owners may consider independent tire disposal solutions, which could lead to additional costs for consumers.
Despite the challenges, the mandatory eco fees paid by consumers for new tires remain in place, irrespective of whether the used tires are collected for recycling. Hillman emphasized the importance of proper tire disposal, citing environmental risks associated with tire fires and improper disposal methods. He stressed that tires should not be discarded in landfills or other inappropriate locations.
