Reflecting on Leadership and Collaboration:
Earlier this month, members of the Canadian Association of Tire Recycling Agencies gathered in Calgary, Alberta, for the 2025 Annual Members Meeting. Hosted at the historic Fairmont Palliser, the two-day event brought together representatives from ten provincial agencies, partners, and industry stakeholders for a productive exchange of insights, progress, and ideas shaping the future of end-of-life tire management in Canada.
This year’s meeting also marked a meaningful milestone, Steve Meldrum concluded two terms (four years) as Chair of CATRA, a period defined by collaboration, innovation, and measurable results across the national network. Under Steve’s leadership, CATRA strengthened its data-driven approach, advanced national performance tracking, and deepened its commitment to circular economy outcomes.
Building on the achievements highlighted in CATRA’s 2024 Annual Report, discussions in Calgary centered on the organization’s ongoing three-year strategic plan. Members shared updates tied to CATRA’s Value Areas, including compliance efforts, enhanced reporting and analytics, and continued development of sustainable end markets for recycled materials. The sessions also included a review of financials, approval of the 2025 budget, and collaborative planning for the year ahead.
One of the event’s highlights was a keynote by Stephanie Mull, Executive Director of the Tire Recycling Foundation, who spoke about the growing opportunities within the circular economy and the importance of value creation throughout the tire recycling chain. Her message reinforced the collective mission shared by CATRA and its members, to turn what was once waste into a resource that drives environmental and economic benefit.
The meeting also featured interactive roundtables, where members discussed emerging challenges, shared lessons from their jurisdictions, and explored innovative approaches to improve tire collection and processing across the country.
CATRA’s impact continues to be reflected in its national performance data. In 2024, over 460,000 tonnes of end-of-life tires were collected, with 409,000 tonnes transformed into new products – a testament to the shared commitment of its member agencies to environmental accountability and continuous improvement.
While Steve may be stepping away from his role as Chair for the last four years, eTracks remains committed to CATRA and will be looking ahead to the next phase of the strategic plan. Ed Gugenheimer, CEO of the Alberta Recycling Management Authority has been elected as the incoming Chair and will be taking over from Steve. The success of the 2025 Annual Members Meeting and the leadership shown over the past four years, reflects the strength of that shared vision.
To learn more about CATRA’s initiatives and national results, explore the 2024 CATRA Annual Report (EN).