Investment in green innovation and research seen as an imperative to create greener communities

Survey by Ontario Tire Stewardship reveals that sustainability is no longer solely the interest of a niche market

TORONTO, May 29, 2012 /CNW/ - In anticipation of World Environment Day on June 5, a survey by the Ontario Tire Stewardship revealed that 89 per cent of Ontario respondents feel their communities would benefit environmentally and economically by incorporating green alternatives, such as tire derived products within more community projects.

To create greener communities, Ontarians feel that local municipalities should take action to foster the development and expand the use of innovative eco-friendly products in Ontario. In fact:

• 96 per cent of respondents feel municipalities could do more to ensure shared community spaces such as parks and recreation centres incorporate environmentally friendly products;
• 94 per cent also agreed that new residential and commercial developments could include more green products, such as eco-friendly roofing and patio solutions;
• 93 per cent feel companies should make greater investments in the research and development of environmentally sustainable building materials; and,
• 83 per cent of respondents feel investment in green building and product solutions is just as important as investing in major healthcare, military and technology sectors.

"Factoring environmental sustainability into our business practices, and the community spaces we share and the products we use every day isn't just a trend. It's a necessary, everyday consideration that extends beyond World Environment Day, to preserve our environment, health and the livelihoods of future generations," says Andrew Horsman, Executive Director, Ontario Tire Stewardship. "Addressing this shift, Ontario has an ambitious Used Tires Program that focuses on the environmental and economic benefits of responsible tire recycling, and investment in research to create innovative tire derived products in Ontario."

Within the province, OTS has established economic and market-focused incentive programs to help translate this "sustainable product philosophy" into real progress. Helping the province better manage its scrap tire waste, OTS works with recycled product manufacturers, collectors, processors and local haulers across Ontario to bring innovative tire derived products to market for both consumers and commercial users. Maintaining greater durability and product safety at lower lifecycle costs to many traditional alternatives, these tire derived goods include roof shakes, fitness and recreational flooring, playground surfacing and garden rubber mulch.

To date, Ontario's tire recycling industry has helped divert more than 33 million scrap tires in Ontario from landfills and stockpiles.

For more information on eco-friendly tire derived home, garden and building products, and Ontario's recycled product manufacturers download our e-consumer guide at http://www.greenmytires.ca/guide.

About the Survey:

This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted by Research House among a provincial random sample of 1,000 adults comprising 500 males and 500 females, 18 years of age and older, living in Ontario. The margin of error for a sample of this size is +/- 3.10%, 19 times out of 20.

Interviewing for this Research House Ontario Telephone Omnibus Survey was completed during the period: March 6 - 28, 2012.

About Ontario Tire Stewardship:
Established in 2009, Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) is an Industry Funding Organization (IFO) incorporated under Ontario's Waste Diversion Act, to implement and operate the Used Tires Program.

The program recycles and reuses the 12 million tires sold annually in the province, preventing them from ending up in landfills or being dumped illegally. Instead, OTS directs these scrap tires to recyclers who use them to make new green products for a variety of applications including home, garden, school, arena, park and more. Beyond recycling, OTS also educates and encourages Ontarians on the use of tire derived products - items made from used tires that actually last longer and work better than similar products in market, and educates Ontario drivers on how to get the most life and performance from their tires.

For more information, please visit www.GreenMyTires.ca. Follow us on Twitter: @GreenMyTires

or to arrange an interview with an Ontario Tire Stewardship representative please contact:

Yuri Park
Environics Communications
416-969-3311
[email protected]