Tire Stewardship Manitoba (TSM) is a not-for-profit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) formed to manage the tire recycling program on behalf of the tire retailers in Manitoba under the provincial Waste Reduction and Prevention (WRAP) Act, Tire Stewardship Regulation 2006. Separate regulations under the WRAP Act support producer responsibility programs for designated materials such as used oil, end-of-life tires, multi-material, electronics, batteries, household hazardous waste and others. PROs such as TSM are established under these regulations to implement waste reduction programs for designated wastes. These industry organizations operate externally from government but are accountable to the Minister of Environment and Climate.
The aim of producer responsibility is to find better methods of diverting or reducing the amount of designated materials as landfill wastes by encouraging industry producers to consider improving end-of-life management for the materials they design, manufacture and sell. This is achieved by bringing greater levels of responsibility to the producers and users of the materials and products.
TSM’s initial tire stewardship plan was approved in 2007 and the current plan has been approved by the Minister for a five-year program plan renewal that will extend its mandate to June 30, 2028.
TSM’s mandate is to implement an approved tire recycling program plan substantially in accordance with its intent, consistent with the requirements of the WRAP Act, Regulation, and Minister’s Guideline for Tire Stewardship, as approved and amended. To fulfill its mandate, TSM will work with Manitoba Environment and Climate and all program stakeholders to achieve the following objectives:
TSM is accountable to its stakeholders and the public for the collection, processing and environmentally sound disposal of all end-of-life tires designated under the regulation. Through an open and transparent revenue system, TSM collects a steward-fee on the sale of new tires from the retailer and these fees pay for transporting and recycling Manitoba’s end-of-life tires in an environmentally responsible manner. All the steward-fees collected are used in the operation and enhancement of the tire recycling program for Manitoba. TSM has developed board governance policies and procedures consistent with established industry standards and is held to account through an annual professionally conducted audit and government oversight.