Tires Recycled Across Ontario Help The Sunshine Foundation Fulfill Dreams for Children Across the Province

TORONTO, July 25, 2013 — Scrap tires are transforming communities across the province and fulfilling the dreams of children within The Sunshine Foundation of Canada’s network. Between May 27 and June 1, 2013, Ontarians dropped off 58,371 used tires at 60 locations across the province. These collection events raised more than $175,000 for The Sunshine Foundation at the fourth annual Tire Take Back events – organized by Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) and the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) – almost doubling this year’s goal to raise $100,000 for the national charity.

The six-day community recycling events helped divert tires from landfills, while raising money to help children with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses fulfill their dreams. OARA contributed $50,000 to the donation to match the collection allowance that OARA members donated for each tire dropped off. The final donation to The Sunshine Foundation was further enhanced by donations from OTS and registered tire haulers.

“Every year, Ontarians are raising the bar for tire recycling and the Tire Take Back program, and we couldn’t achieve this kind of positive year-over-year program success without the support of Ontarians,” said Andrew Horsman, Executive Director, Ontario Tire Stewardship.  “There’s a strong sense of community across the province. This year’s tremendous collection results from the Tire Take Back events reflect Ontarians’ growing desire to create greener, more livable communities with innovative recycled tire products, which are increasingly being used in our homes, local recreational facilities, parks and playgrounds.”

This year, OARA member, Sonshine Auto Parts in Cumberland, Ontario collected more than 12,000 used tires – the highest collection number out of all participating OARA member locations. As a result, Sonshine Auto Parts will be awarded with up to $15,000 worth of eco-friendly recycled tire products to be used toward the revitalization of a community facility or public space, which is to be determined later this summer.

An official cheque presentation ceremony for The Sunshine Foundation of Canada will take place today at 10 a.m. ET at Sonshine Auto Parts in Cumberland. Photos from the collection events and cheque ceremony are available upon request.

“We want to recognize and thank each of our 60 participating OARA members for their commitment to recycling tires for the Tire Take Back community initiative, in addition to the end-of-life vehicles they recycle each year,” said Steve Fletcher, Executive Director of OARA. “There was some friendly competition among our members and communities, not only to raise funds to fulfill dreams for Sunshine Foundation children, but to win the chance to sustainably enhance a local space. Leading the province-wide community challenge with more than 12,000 tires collected, we’re pleased to announce that Sonshine Auto Parts and the Cumberland community will be receiving the Community Challenge prize of innovative recycled tire products to create a greener space in their neighbourhood.”

OTS manages how the approximately 12 million tires sold in Ontario every year are handled once they reach the end of their service life, diverting them from burning facilities and landfills. With the support of Ontarians, OTS reached a new milestone earlier this year with the diversion of its 50 millionth tire since its inception in 2009.

Through the Used Tires Program, Ontarians can drop off up to four used tires each for free at thousands of registered collection locations around the province, and the tires collected will be reused or recycled into new, environmentally friendly and durable consumer products such as rubber mulch, landscape tiles, recreational flooring and roof shingles. Visit www.RethinkTires.ca for details on innovative home and garden product information, and to find registered collectors across the province.

About The Sunshine Foundation

The Sunshine Foundation of Canada makes dreams come true for children living with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. For more information, visit www.sunshine.ca.

 

About OARA

The Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association represents 130 professional auto recyclers across Ontario who recover and recycle end-of-life vehicles for their parts reuse and materials recycling. For more information, visit www.oara.com.

 

About OTS

Established in 2009, Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) is an Industry Funding Organization (IFO) incorporated under Ontario’s Waste Diversion Act, to implement and operate the Used Tires Program.

At OTS, we are transforming the relationship Ontarians have with the lifecycle of their tires, through a comprehensive approach that takes into account our environment, our economy and our quality of life.  Through the Used Tires program, 100 per cent of Ontario tires get efficiently and responsibly recycled into new products, leading to more livable communities and a growing green economy in this province. To date, OTS has helped responsibly recycle more than 50 million tires in Ontario. For more information, visit www.RethinkTires.ca.

 

For more information, please visit www.RethinkTires.ca and follow us on Twitter: @RethinkTires

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To arrange an interview with a spokesperson from OTS or OARA please contact:

Nina Godard
Environics Communications
416-969-2667
ngodard@environicspr.com

OR

Pira Pathmanathan

Environics Communications
416-969-2765
ppathmanathan@environicspr.com