Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation and the Tire Recycling Fee

Is the SSTC a Government Run Program?

No.  The SSTC is a non-profit, non-government, industry-led organization managed by a volunteer Board of Directors selected by member associations.  The provincial government does not run or direct the SSTC or the tire recycling program.  Its primary role in this area is regulation and enforcement.

What is the Tire Recycling Fee (TRF)?

The TRF is a fee the retailer collects from the consumer on the sale of each new tire in the province. The SSTC uses the funding to manage the program, pay for the collection, transportation and processing of scrap tires.  None of the funds collected end up in any government accounts, nor does the SSTC receive government funding.

Do I have to pay the TRF even if I don't leave my scrap tires with the retailer?

Yes.  The TRF is to be charged on all new tires regardless whether the used tire is left behind or not.  Consumers are encouraged to leave their scrap tires with the retailer to ensure they are properly disposed of and recycled.

Where does the money come from that funds Phase 3?

The funding comes from the TRF's collected on the sale of all new tires.

Who do I contact if I have any questions regarding the Black Gold Rush, its operations and timelines?

Please contact your municipality if you have any questions regarding the Black Gold Rush program. The municipality has all pertinent information.

Phase 3 Drop-Off Site

How do we choose a drop-off site and what is the best way to manage it?

We suggest you consider weather conditions when choosing your site. It needs to be an all weather site.  Wherever it is in your community it needs to be accessible to a semi and heavy equipment.  Before collection starts, grass should be mowed, garbage picked up, etc.  A fenced area would be ideal even if it’s only a temporary fence, i.e. snow.

Mark out the areas to designate the different tire sizes and put up signs indicating PLT, MT or AG for ease of sorting.  Have a drop area that is separate from the area when the tires are being separated to avoid confusion when counting.  Mark the tires with spray paint or chalk when counting.

What type of equipment should be on site?

Whatever you feel you need: anything from a cart to a front-end loader.  The choice would be up to your administration.

Who collects the tires from the drop-off site?

The tires will be picked up from an SSTC approved collector. They will be responsible for loading the tires. At this time our collectors have indicated that they do not have trailers available to leave on site.  The collectors will be able to come to your site very soon after the last tire is dropped to pick up the tires.

Is it necessary to have someone present at the tire site?

That is entirely up to the administration in your municipality, but we believe that it would be useful.  We suggest that you utilize the service group whenever possible.

Can we drop tires at the transfer station or landfill?

No.  Phase 2 of our program was to clean all registered landfills in Saskatchewan.  It is now completed.  We strongly encourage all municipalities to designate a spot away from any landfill sites or transfer stations.

Tires

Why do we need to register private tire stockpiles?

It is not a requirement that all stockpiles be registered but it will be helpful with many aspects of the tire clean-up. If you have a large stockpile that you are unable to move yourself, registering it will allow for the service club to assist in the process.  This gives the service club an opportunity to fundraise and gives the municipality office more control over the drop site.

Are there any types of tires, i.e., tractor tires that are not permitted or can they all be dropped off here for pick-up?

We accept all rimless, clean tires.

Is there a minimum amount of tires that SSTC will collect?

No.  We will collect all the tires that have been dropped off at the designated area in your municipality. An important thing to remember is that SSTC will be in your municipality ONCE to provide this service.  When you call in to indicate that you are finished you will be asked to sign the back of your inventory sheet to indicated that you understand that SSTC will not be back to provide this free service again.

Can people from outside our municipality drop off tires?

It is completely up to you how you run your part of the program.  In some cases Town administrations and RM administrations are sharing responsibility and duties for the tire collection.

What happens to the scrap tires that are collected?

Scrap tires are processed into a safe, reusable format and put to many good uses.  Among the products currently being made from recycled tires are low-impact playground surfaces, athletic field turf, street and road paving material, interlocking patio bricks, shingles, parking curbs, truck bed liners, livestock feeders, planters, mats and a whole lot more.

If this is free to us why do we need to count the tires that come in?

SSTC requires an accurate count of all tires collected by the municipality.  Although there is no cost to the municipality, the SSTC will be incurring all the costs for transportation and recycling of the tires that are collected.  As with any business transaction there need to be a check and balance.

Service Group

What can the service group expect to make from this project?  Is it a community donated service or will there be a financial incentive for the group?

The service groups are volunteering their time to work with the municipalities to collect and inventory the scrap tires.  SSTC, in turn, is compensating the service groups by paying them on a per tire basis.