From Your Driveway to Recycled Products You See Every Day
Do you wonder what happens to your old tires after we install new ones right at your home?
You might notice a small environmental fee on your invoice, but where does that actually go? And what happens to your old tires after we load them up and drive away?
Let’s walk through the full journey, because it’s actually one of the most effective recycling systems in Canada, and something we’re proud to be part of.
It Starts with a Small Fee (That Makes a Big Difference)
Every new tire sold in Alberta includes an environmental handling fee. For passenger vehicles and light trucks, the fee is $5 per tire.
This isn’t a shop charge, and it’s not something we keep.
That fee goes directly into a province-wide system managed by the
Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA).
That funding powers the entire lifecycle of tire recycling:
- Collection
- Transportation
- Processing
- Turning old tires into new materials
Without it, most tires would end up in landfills.
What Happens When We Take Your Old Tires Away
When we finish a mobile tire change at your home, your old tires don’t just disappear, they enter a structured system.
Behind the scenes:
- Tires are stored safely and kept separate from other waste
- Collected by approved transporters
- Delivered to licensed recycling facilities across Alberta
This isn’t random or informal, it’s tightly regulated to make sure tires are handled responsibly from start to finish.
Inside the Recycling Process
Once tires arrive at a registered processor, they go through several stages:
1. Shredding
Tires are broken down into smaller pieces.
2. Material Separation
The tire is split into:
- Rubber
- Steel
- Fiber
3. Refinement
Rubber is processed into different sizes depending on its next use.
At the end of this process, nothing goes to waste—every component has a purpose.
What Your Old Tires Become
This is where it gets interesting! Your old tires are turned into products used all over Alberta.
Construction & Infrastructure
One of the biggest uses is Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA):
- Used in landfill drainage systems
- Replaces gravel
- Helps manage water flow safely
Alberta has used hundreds of thousands of tonnes of recycled tire material in infrastructure like this.
Everyday Surfaces You’ve Probably Seen
Recycled rubber also becomes:
- Playground safety surfaces
- Running tracks and sports fields
- Landscaping mulch
- Gym and garage flooring
There’s a good chance you’ve walked on recycled tires without even realizing it.
Why This System Matters (And Why We Support It)
Here’s the honest truth:
Recycling tires isn’t cheap.
In fact, it often costs more than the raw materials are worth on their own.
That’s why Alberta’s system works so well—the ARMA program fills that gap, ensuring tires are:
- Properly collected
- Responsibly processed
- Actually reused in meaningful ways
The Environmental Impact
Because of this system:
- Millions of tires are kept out of landfills
- Valuable materials are reused instead of wasted
- Demand for new raw materials is reduced
- Large-scale dumping and stockpiling is avoided
It’s a practical, proven approach, not just good intentions.
What This Means for You as a Shire Tire Customer
When you choose Shire Tire, you’re not just getting convenience at your doorstep.
You’re also participating in a system that:
- Handles your old tires responsibly
- Supports local recycling infrastructure
- Contributes to real, usable products in your community
We make sure your tires don’t just get removed, they get properly handled, every time.
Our Take
We like simple, reliable systems. This system is one of them.
It’s not perfect (especially in rural areas where logistics can be tricky), but overall, Alberta has built a recycling loop that actually works.
And for us, being part of that system is just part of doing the job properly.