Think, Build and Grow Green: Ontario Tire Stewardship Funding Opportunity

Grant program makes Ontario communities more sustainable, awards products made from recycled tires

TORONTO, Aug. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) launched a call for submissions today for its second annual Community Grant program. The program provides new opportunities for Ontario-based organizations to receive up to $50,000 towards the purchase and installation of Ontario-manufactured products made from recycled tires such as rubber mulch, roof shingles and athletic surfaces.

The improved grant program supports a 2012 survey by OTS, which revealed that 89 per cent of Ontario respondents feel that their communities would benefit environmentally and economically by incorporating green alternatives, such as products made with tire rubber, within more community projects.

"Ontarians have said that they believe more action can be taken to expand the use of innovative eco-friendly products in our municipalities," said Andrew Horsman, Executive Director of Ontario Tire Stewardship. "We are excited to continue the grant program to help communities and organizations think, build and grow green through the use of Ontario-made recycled rubber products in various community projects."

The grant is open to municipalities, registered non-profit community groups or organizations, schools/colleges/universities, and First Nations communities throughout Ontario. To qualify, projects must use products made from Ontario recycled rubber and be completed by June 30, 2013. Applications are due on November 15, 2012.

Eligible projects will fall under two categories:

1) Granular products such as mulch for landscaping or playgrounds, eligible for grants of $70 per tonne of Ontario recycled rubber up to $25,000; and,

2) Manufactured products such as patio tiles, sidewalks, athletic surfacing, roof shingles, underlayment, subflooring and others, eligible for grants of $550 per tonne of Ontario recycled rubber up to $50,000.

Since the launch of the Community Grant program in 2011, OTS has helped communities and organizations across the country benefit from a wide range of Ontario-manufactured recycled rubber products for their community projects. One example is Pathways Health Centre for Children, which used the grant to install flooring made exclusively from recycled tire rubber in their new playground.

"This program supports Ontarians in their efforts to live sustainably," says Horsman. "We've seen the myriad of benefits these products have for the province's economy and environment, and we're thrilled to again be supporting the use of these products through the grant program."

To educate Ontarians and share information about recycled products, OTS will promote winning projects through activities such as on-site signage, website postings, online case studies and trade shows.

Information about the Community Grant Program, including the application process and eligibility criteria, may be accessed at www.GreenMyTires.ca or by e-mailing [email protected]

About Ontario Tire Stewardship
Established in 2002, 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 your home, office, local school and park.

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 .

SOURCE: Ontario Tire Stewardship

Vanessa Ciccone
416-969-2717
[email protected]