Issue stems from recent changes to Ontario\u2019s tire recycling system that have reduced collection activity at various depots, says official<\/p>\n
The Barrie Landfill has an estimated stockpile of more than 4,200 tires needing to be recycled, which could temporarily lead to the suspension of tire drop-offs in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Stephanie Mack, the city\u2019s director of waste management and environment, said in a memo to city council that this is a provincewide issue with tire collection that is impacting the city\u2019s ability to safely manage tires dropped off for diversion at the Barrie Landfill, located on Ferndale Drive North.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue stems from recent changes to Ontario\u2019s tire recycling system that have reduced collection activity at municipal and commercial tire depots across the province,\u201d Mack said in the memo.<\/p>\n
Although not required under provincial legislation, the city participates in Ontario\u2019s tire collection program by providing a convenient and accessible drop-off location for used tires.<\/p>\n
But due to ongoing disruptions in tire collection services, pickups from the Barrie Landfill have become less frequent, resulting in a growing on-site stockpile, Mack said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the accumulation of tires increases operational challenges and safety risks, staff may need to temporarily suspend tire drop-off in the coming weeks,\u201d she said, \u201cuntil collection services resume and the broader provincial situation stabilizes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city manages 14 diversion programs at the Barrie Landfill, several of which operate under Ontario\u2019s extended producer responsibility framework. Under its legislation, producers are responsible for funding and managing the collection, transportation and recycling of designated products at the end of their useful life, rather than municipalities bearing those costs. Ontario\u2019s tire recycling system is one such program.<\/p>\n
Producers retain organizations to establish collection networks and coordinate the transportation, processing and recycling of end-of-life tires.<\/p>\n
These organizations are responsible for ensuring adequate collection and processing capacity across the province and have established a network of municipal depots, automotive service centres and tire retailers where residents can conveniently drop off tires for recycling.<\/p>\n
The city participates in Ontario\u2019s tire recycling program by providing a convenient drop-off location for passenger and light truck tires. Tires collected at the Barrie Landfill are picked up and recycled by producer-contracted service providers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile municipalities are not required to operate collection sites and do not incur direct costs for tire collection or recycling services,\u201d Mack said in the memo, \u201cthey also receive no funding or compensation for serving as collection locations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ontario\u2019s tire collection and recycling system has faced the accumulation of large tire stockpiles at collection sites and municipal drop-off depots. These issues have been linked to changes made to Ontario\u2019s tire recycling regulations in 2025, which reduced mandatory recycling targets and collection requirements for tire producers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result, some collection sites, municipalities and tire retailers are noting delays in tire pick-ups and increasing inventories of end-of-life tires awaiting transportation and processing,\u201d Mack said.<\/p>\n
But despite the city’s ongoing efforts and co-operation with service partners, tires have started to accumulate.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaff estimate the stockpile to be over 4,200 tires, some contained in roll-off bins and some now being segregated on the ground in remote areas of the landfill site,\u201d Mack said in the memo.<\/p>\n
Talks with Barrie Fire and Emergency Service have also highlighted growing fire safety concerns associated with the accumulation of tires, underscoring the importance of timely collection and removal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf collection challenges persist, the city may need to temporarily suspend tire drop-off services to prevent further stockpiling and mitigate associated operational and safety risks until consistent collection can be restored,\u201d Mack said in the memo, noting this has been the approach of Toronto, Durham Region and other Ontario municipalities.<\/p>\n
Ontario\u2019s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has proposed changes that include expanding requirements so that producers would be required to collect tires from any site requesting service with 50 or more tires available for pick-up, establishing guaranteed response times during peak tire-change periods, and requiring that collected tires be managed within three months of pick-up.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s anticipated the ministry will finalize amendments to the tires regulations this summer, which might provide much-needed relief to the current situation.<\/p>\n
City staff are hopeful, Mack said, that changes to the regulations will help facilitate the movement of accumulated tires from municipal sites and support the resumption of regular collection services, allowing the city to continue or resume accepting tires.<\/p>\n
But in the event that tire collection at the Barrie Landfill is suspended, council would be notified and updates posted as needed on the city website, social media and via the app.<\/p>\n