Wellington County says its waste facilities can no longer accept tires until provincial regulations change.
Starting July 1, 2026, tire collection at County Waste Facilities will be paused temporarily.
According to a release from the County, after changes by the provincial government last year dropped the producer responsible recycling targets from 85 per cent of the tires marketed into Ontario to 65 per cent, collection from waste facilities has gone way down.
"With this reduced target, producers now only appear to be collecting tires from municipalities, tire shops, and mechanics only until the 65 per cent target is met," explains Das Soligo, Manager of Solid Waste Services in a media release. "Unfortunately, this change has led to a sudden shift in the tire disposal process, and collection sites are overflowing with tires and are unable to find a company willing to remove them. This is the current situation at County Waste Facilities."
The Ontario government has proposed a regulation requiring Producer Responsibility Organizations to remove tires within a month during peak season and two months during off-peak season, but with the Legislature out until the end of October, it won't be passed anytime soon.
“Until this regulation is approved, and the current tire backlog of tires at County Waste Facilities is removed, we have no other option but to temporarily pause tire disposal,” said Soligo. “Many municipalities do not accept tires at all, and a number are also pausing drop-off services during this time. The County has always accepted residential - generated tires at its waste facilities and we look forward providing this diversion service again as soon as it is possible to do so.”
Tires can be dropped-off at most tire retailers, mechanics and auto-wreckers. The County advises residents call these locations to ensure acceptance before arrival.
