A collector is defined as an organization that removes tires from a vehicle, or collects used tires in Ontario. Under this definition, tire retailers, vehicle dealers, auto service centers, dismantlers, municipalities and private waste management companies can all be classified as collectors.
Collectors are the first point of used tire collection, and work directly with the consumer by providing free disposal of used tires when they can no longer be used on a vehicle.
How do collectors work with eTracks?
If you would like to enroll with us and have your tires picked up free of charge, you’re first required to register with the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) as a collection site in Ontario.
- Register with RPRA
- Enroll with eTracks (you can also enroll by phone at 1.844.387.2257)
Be sure to have your Commercial Liability Insurance and Proof of Business Documentation (e.g. Articles of Incorporation, or a Master Business Licence) handy. The entire enrollment process takes less than 5 minutes!
What are collectors required to do and how do they get their tires picked up?
Enrolled collectors can use the “Find a Hauler” feature on our homepage to locate enrolled eTracks haulers and have their tires removed quickly and efficiently.
Under the current Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act (RRCEA) and Tire Regulation 225/18, enrolled collection sites are required to:
- Accept used tires from the public, free of charge (of similar size/weight to what is sold at your location, to a maximum of 10 tires per person/per day during regular business hours), and;
- Accept used tires on rims, free of charge.
- If a collection site accepts more than 10 tires during a drop-off, they are required to make a note of the quantity, and name of the person who dropped them off in the event that RPRA requests this information.
Learn more about tire collection sites here.
Frequently asked questions
Collectors used to be paid for their used tires, what happened?
If your collection site incurs additional costs due to managing tire recycling activities (staffing, storage, etc.) you may factor this into your pricing structure or business overhead, as long as you are not charging a consumer for dropping of used tires; this has been done by many collection sites for years to cover the cost of their tire recycling activities. For example, since 2019, some collections sites have been adding an admin fee of $1.00 to the cost of the tires they sell, others add it to a service they provide.
As a collection site do I have to accept tires from the public? Or just my existing customers?
You must accept tires from any member of the public.
Can I charge for tire drop offs?
Under Ontario law, you cannot charge for tire drop offs from the public.
As a collection site, who do I deal with/report to/answer to?
Tire recycling is required by law in Ontario as part of our province’s efforts to reduce waste and recycle useful materials and keep them out of landfills. Everything you need to know about the role of tire collection sites can be found on their website here.
What is a collection site?
A Collection Site is any site that handles used tires as part of its day-to-day business (dealerships, tire shops, auto repair, etc.). To learn more about the regulatory body that enforces this law and how they describe collection site requirements, go here.
How do I know if my collection site is considered compliant?
Your business is considered compliant if you and your team adhere to these requirements:
1. You accept used tires, including tires on rims, free of charge, (this includes tires that are similar in size and weight to the ones you supply or sell at your location).
2. You accept up to 10 tires per day from any member of the public (not just your customers), during your regular business hours.
3. If your site accepts more than 10 tires from one person on a single day, you record the person’s name, contact information and the number of tires accepted at the site from that person (in case the regulator asks for it).
4. You inform eTracks if you change your business address, name or contact information. This will ensure the province’s regulator has accurate collection site listings in their database should they conduct compliance spot checks. Please email any periodic updates to info@etracks.ca.
What reporting am I required to do?
Collectors will not be required to complete annual performance reports for RPRA until further notice. This does not change any obligation to maintain records, which must be available for inspection as required. Read more about reporting on the RPRA website here.
What should I do if tires are not being picked up at my site?
To prevent tires from piling up at your site, please call an eTracks hauler to schedule a free tire pick-up. To find an eTracks hauler, visit use the “Find a hauler” search tool on our homepage. You can also email, or call our stakeholder relations team if you’re having trouble finding a hauler at info@etracks.ca.
I got a call from someone at eTracks recently asking me to verify my profile information. Do I have to provide this?
eTracks periodically checks in with all our collection sites to ensure we have your correct site address and other details. eTracks may have already been in touch with you to verify your active collection site status. Thank-you for keeping us updated and please let us know if your site changes by sending updated contact information to info@etracks.ca.
Do I have to accept tires from anyone who wants to leave them outside our location?
Ontario law specifies that yes, collection sites must allow free tire drop offs from the public. The best approach is to be proactive, post a sign at your entrance indicating you accept used tires for recycling, what size of tires you accept, and who they should speak to when they drop off tires. Indicate if you’d like people to leave them at a certain area, or check in with your receptionist. Showing that you support tire recycling is good for business and the environment, your existing and potential customers will appreciate it.
Why should I accept used tires for free?
Collectors need to adhere to the regulatory requirements placed on Tire Producers to operate a compliant collection network. Tire Producers (manufacturers, importers and auto-makers) are required by law to manage their tire recycling according to Ontario’s Tire Regulation and the broader RRCEA. This includes operating a tire collection network where the public can drop off tires for free, including tires on rims.
Tires on rims are extra work and haulers won’t take them away. Why should I accept them?
Collectors, haulers and tire processors are required to take used tires, as well as tires on rims. If your eTracks enrolled hauler is not accepting tires on rims, please contact us and let us know so we can help.
Haulers charge me for picking up tires, do I have to pay?
eTracks pays enrolled haulers to collect used tires from enrolled collection sites – free of charge – and deliver them to a processor for recycling. The exception to this would be if a collection site had an agreement with a hauler and required a site clean, above and beyond a tire pick-up. In this case the hauler/collection site and/or eTracks would need to negotiate the cost by considering any additional travel, trucking, or labour required. (e.g. cleaning up an old tire dump site, etc.).
