When tasked to redesign the exterior of Toronto’s cultural hub, Artscape Youngplace, students from the Landscape Design and Industrial Design programs pushed the boundaries of how recycled tires can be used to create new and unique products in the community.

Rethink Tire’s Design Challenge is a student competition focused on innovation and creativity to reimagine urban environments using recycled materials. Participants were put to the test with OTS’ most recent Challenge, when we added an Industrial Design category to the competition. And the results were well worth the effort as students, using the equivalent of 136 recycled tires, created an eco-friendly and sustainable product for the community to enjoy.

The winning Industrial Design was conceived by a team from Sheridan College. Named the “Shaw Bench”, the product is an innovative and durable piece of outdoor furniture that showcases a new use for old tires. The integrated, modular bench was designed and manufactured using rubber segments produced using crumb from recycled tires.

With four benches now installed at Artscape Youngplace, the goal is to have this multi-use product integrated into natural environments, commercial spaces and in urban environments including parks and at transit stops across Ontario. To put things into perspective, the production of the benches diverted more than 540 tires from landfill in the process – talk about waste diversion!

It’s time we celebrate the completed project that has come full circle from blueprint to life in an urban space that is bustling with creators, artists and residents alike. The Shaw Bench is one example of how Ontario Tire Stewardship continues to do its part to keep the circular economy rolling along with the help of bright, inventive minds and industry partners.