By: Matthew Kert
Did you know that by recycling four passenger tires, you can save the equivalent amount of energy as 68L of gas? That’s 2 full tanks of my car!
In the construction industry, tires are a huge aspect. They are found everywhere, including machinery and every day equipment. When tires are recycled, you get crumb rubber which can then be applied in various construction projects. The Canadian tire industry puts a lot of effort in recycling programs to create a wide spectrum of different construction products including:
- athletic flooring;
- roof shingles;
- carpet cushioning and floor underlay;
- rubber bricks used for walkways;
- materials to replace concrete and fill driveways; and
- rubber landscape stones and mulch for gardens
Examples of Ontario-based companies that make recycled tire products are Rubberall International, Dewrock Tire Recycling and EnviroTire Recycling.
Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS), which is an organization under the Ontario Waste Division Act, was founded in 2009 and is one of the leading used tire programs in Ontario. Instead of tires being dumped or illegally burned, OTS’ goal is to recycle every used tire with a major focus on the construction industry. With over 90 percent of a tire being reusable, it is definitely an important area to explore.
New and innovative uses for recycled tires are constantly being put in place. Some recycled products have even been used for outdoor playground floors to create a safer and more shock absorbent ground for children to play on. To read more on Reinventing the Wheel, check out the article in the December issue of Construction Canada Magazine by Andrew Horsman from OTS (page 94).
OTS is a key sponsor for our upcoming Recycling Idol event at 8:30am on December 6th. In fact, 2 of the 4 finalists (B&R Processing and Tyromer Inc.) are in the business of tire recycling.
Space is limited! Click here to register for the event.
Matthew is a final year undergraduate student majoring in Communication, Culture & Information Technology and Psychology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. He is interning at the RIC centre and is responsible for managing various social media events the company has to offer. He is very interested in advertising and marketing with a strong background in online marketing.
The RIC blog is designed as a showcase for entrepreneurs and innovation. Our guest bloggers provide a wealth of information based on their personal and professional experiences. Visit Altitude Accelerator for more information on how RIC can accelerate your ideas to market.
