The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks in Ontario has proposed amendments to provincial waste regulations that could reshape how used tires are collected, processed, and managed under Ontario’s producer responsibility framework.

The proposed updates apply to the Tires Regulation (O. Reg. 225/18), the Hazardous and Special Products Regulation (O. Reg. 449/21), and the Administrative Penalties Regulation (O. Reg. 558/22), all made under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016.

According to the ministry, the amendments are intended to strengthen waste diversion systems, improve regulatory clarity, and introduce more enforceable requirements across producer responsibility programs.

Focus on tire collection and processing

A key element of the proposal is aimed at ensuring used tires are collected and processed in a timely manner to prevent stockpiling at collection sites.

Efficient collection and processing are essential to the broader tire recycling supply chain, as delays in moving end-of-life tires can create storage risks, disrupt recovery markets, and reduce the efficiency of downstream rubber recycling operations.

Once processed through approved channels, used tires can be converted into products such as crumb rubber, which is widely used in rubberized asphalt, construction materials, and artificial turf systems. Tires may also be processed through pyrolysis, generating materials such as tire-derived oil, recovered carbon black (rCB), and pyrolysis char for industrial applications.

Stronger collection requirements may help ensure more tires enter formal recycling systems and improve overall material recovery rates.

Stronger enforcement and local processing

The proposed amendments also include removing the current $1 million cap in Ontario’s Administrative Penalties Regulation, a change intended to strengthen enforcement capabilities.

In addition, the ministry is seeking feedback on how producer responsibility organizations can improve collaboration through clearinghouse mechanisms and how policy can better support local processing capacity.

Expanding domestic processing infrastructure could strengthen Ontario’s circular economy by reducing transportation distances, improving supply chain traceability, and supporting regional tire recycling markets tied to sustainability and resource recovery goals.

Public consultation underway

The proposed amendments have been posted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario for a 30-day consultation period running from April 2 through May 2, 2026.

The consultation will allow industry stakeholders, recyclers, producers, and the public to provide feedback on how Ontario’s regulatory framework can better support efficient waste diversion, stronger compliance, and long-term recycling outcomes.

If adopted, the amendments could further reinforce Ontario’s producer responsibility model and support a more stable and accountable framework for tire recycling and broader circular economy development in the province.

For details about the proposal, please visit the ERO website.