Regulator says tire producers meeting rules despite ongoing pickup complaints

Justin’s Auto Repair owner Justin Lapointe in east Windsor, Ont., on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor

Ontario’s recycling regulator says it is aware of a provincewide slowdown in used-tire collection, but maintains tire producers are still meeting their legal obligations – even as some Windsor-area businesses continue to report mounting backlogs.

In written responses to questions from CTV News, the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) confirmed it has received complaints about delayed pickups but said only a small number have come from the Windsor-Essex region.

“RPRA is aware of the slowdown of used tire collection across the province,” communications manager Jess Turchet said.

“In 2026, RPRA has received two inquiries from retailers related to tire collection service disruption in Windsor-Essex. Both cases have been resolved, as the retailer and PRO have confirmed the tires were successfully picked up.”

The agency said it has also received “approximately a dozen calls” from collection sites elsewhere in Ontario reporting similar issues.

The comments come after several Windsor auto repair shops told CTV News earlier this week that they were struggling to get scrap tires collected, with some reporting piles of more than 100 tires sitting on site for months.

Business owners blamed recent changes to Ontario’s recycling framework that they say left haulers with less incentive to pick up tires once annual quotas were reached.

Regulation changes cited

RPRA confirmed that the provincial rules governing tire recycling were amended in December 2024, lowering the required recycling target for producers from 85 per cent to 65 per cent and eliminating a previous collection target.

“Tire producers were able to meet their new management requirements earlier in 2025,” Turchet said.

“Tire producers are not required (under the regulation) to recycle used tires once they achieve their recycling target.”

However, the agency stressed that producers and their contracted Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) must continue to collect tires from any registered collection sites in their network, even after those targets are met.

“Producers and their PROs must continue to collect tires from all registered collection sites that are part of their collection system, whether management targets are met or not,” Turchet said.

Producers are not obligated, however, to pick up tires from businesses that are not formally registered as part of a producer’s collection system.

RPRA said it is responsible for enforcing compliance with those rules, but questions about the regulatory changes themselves should be directed to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks.

‘Obligations are being met’

Despite the reported delays, RPRA said it believes the system is functioning as required.

“Producers and PROs are currently meeting their obligations under the regulation,” Turchet said.

The agency did not provide a timeline for when normal pickup service levels might resume, saying the issue is now in the hands of the province.

“We are aware that the ministry is actively exploring a resolution to this challenge and they should be contacted for any further information related to this matter,” the statement said.

Advice for businesses

For retailers unable to get tires collected, RPRA recommends first confirming whether their site is officially registered within a producer’s collection network.

Businesses can contact their servicing PRO or RPRA’s compliance team to verify their status. If a location is not registered, the agency says companies may need to arrange private collection – potentially at their own cost.

The guidance comes after shop owners like Justin Lapointe of Justin’s Auto Repair told CTV News, he has been trying unsuccessfully for months to arrange a pickup.

“I’ve left messages, I’ve sent emails. I’ve got no response from these companies,” Lapointe said earlier this week.

Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie has said he raised local concerns with the environment ministry and that the province is working with RPRA to address disruptions.