Nearly 28,000 scrap tires are going to be put to good use across B.C. — from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to Prince George.
Ten community projects have received a grant from Tire Stewardship BC, the environmental non-profit group announced Tuesday.
"Rubberized surfacing can be coloured, and is durable and low maintenance, which makes it a desirable choice for running tracks, waterparks, walkways and gathering areas as well as playgrounds,” says Rosemary Sutton, executive director at Tire Stewardship BC, in a press release.
The rubber will be used for splash pads, playgrounds and accessible swings. Each location will use a specific number of tires: a playground at Frank J Michell Elementary School in Sparwood, 30 kilometres from Fernie, will use 8,713 recycled tires.
Over on Vancouver Island, three locations are receiving a large number of the rubber wheels: District of North Saanich will have 3,366 tires for the Jubilee Park playground; in Saanich, the Rutledge Park playground and splash pad is receiving 3,103 tires. At the Evergreen Independent School in Cobble Hill, their Playful Places for Everyone will use 1,670 tires.
Other projects include:
- Oppenheimer Park Playground Renewal in Vancouver: 2,767 tires;
- Delbrook Lands Neighbourhood Park playground in North Vancouver: 2,472 tires;
- Wix-Brown Elementary playground in Langley: 3,011 tires;
- Valleycliffe Elementary School playground in Squamish: 530 tires;
- Lions Park playground in Osoyoos: 831 tires;
- City of Prince George: 1,457 tires are being used for the KIN 3 Arena floors in the dressing rooms, hallways, washrooms and referee rooms.
B.C.’s scrap tire program has been giving the rubber new life for more than 30 years. More than 100 million tires have been recycled, noted the release.
To find out more about the program and where tires can be recycled visit this the non-profit's website..