Committee to Review Used-tire Processing Options

An advisory committee will be appointed to review options for used-tire processing in the province.

Minister of Environment and Labour Mark Parent made the decision based on Dalhousie University research that studied used tires as an alternate industrial fuel. Those findings, and the province's commitment to continue to be a leader in solid-waste management, suggest the time is right to review how used tires are handled under the province's solid-waste strategy.

"I'll be appointing a committee of skilled, experienced individuals who will examine used-tire processing options from a variety of viewpoints," said Mr. Parent. "They will identify and evaluate a variety of ideas, and consider the economic, social, health and industrial implications of each."

The decision to assemble the three-person advisory committee under the Environment Act will not change how tires are managed in the short term, but will allow government to consider all options for the future. The committee will be asked to submit a report by July 1.

"We expect that the advisory committee's research will contribute to the design of an effective and environmentally responsible tire management program for the future and allow us to continue to set the pace for solid waste management in Canada," said Mr. Parent.

The Dalhousie University report -- An Assessment of the Use of Tires as an Alternative Fuel -- was prepared by the department of process engineering and applied science faculty of engineering. It may be viewed online at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/waste/docs/TireUseAlternativeFuelAssessment.pdf.