MECP’s Tire Amendments: A Step Back to 80% — But No Real Fix for Ontario’s Tire Collection Problems

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has released its final decision on the 2026 amendments to Ontario’s tire regulations. While the announcement highlights “stronger enforcement” and “clearer requirements,” haulers across the province are noticing a clear pattern: the only meaningful change MECP made was reversing its own previous reduction of the tire management target.

In 2023–2024, MECP lowered the tire management target to 65%, a move that contributed to widespread collection disruptions and backlogs across Ontario. In its 2026 decision, MECP raised the target to 80%, effectively undoing that earlier change.

This correction is welcome — but it does not address the underlying issues that caused the backlog in the first place.

What MECP Did Change

1. Tire Management Target Raised to 80%

The target increase is intended to push more tires through the system and reduce accumulation at collection sites.

2. Collection Network Expanded to 6,500 Sites

PROs must now service approximately 6,500 sites, including 2,200 new locations and a required northern‑Ontario allocation.

3. New Reporting Requirements

PROs must report their collection networks at the start of each year, with limits on mid‑year changes. Financial reporting is also now mandatory.

4. Removal of the $1 Million Penalty Cap

Administrative penalties can now exceed $1 million, giving RPRA stronger enforcement tools.

These changes increase oversight and raise expectations — but they do not guarantee consistent pickup or fair access to work for haulers.

What MECP Declined to Change

Despite extensive consultation and clear evidence of systemic challenges, MECP chose not to implement several proposed amendments that would have directly addressed service disruptions and regional inconsistencies.

❌ No Call‑In Requirement for Sites with 50+ Tires

This proposal would have ensured universal pickup for any site generating significant volumes. MECP declined to proceed.

❌ No Guaranteed Response Time

Stakeholders requested predictable service windows during peak seasons. This was not included in the final amendments.

❌ No 3‑Month Processing Requirement

A rule requiring collected tires to be managed within 90 days was proposed to prevent processor backlogs. MECP opted not to implement it.

❌ No Clearinghouse or Third‑Party Pooling System

This structural reform would have improved collaboration among PROs and supported more consistent service across Ontario. MECP chose not to move forward with it.

❌ No Ontario‑Based Recycling Requirement

Local processing capacity remains unaddressed, despite mixed feedback and requests for further analysis.

Why Haulers Should Be Concerned

The amendments MECP approved focus on targets, reporting, and enforcement — all important components of a functioning system. However, the changes they declined to implement are the ones that would have:

• ensured 100% pickup

• stabilized regional service

• reduced backlogs

• improved fairness in work distribution

• strengthened local processing capacity

• created predictable timelines for generators and haulers

By avoiding these structural reforms, MECP has left the core challenges of Ontario’s tire‑collection system largely unchanged.

The province now has a higher target and more reporting — but no new mechanisms to ensure that tires are picked up consistently, processed promptly, or distributed fairly across haulers.

Where the Industry Stands Now

Haulers across Ontario continue to operate in a system where service levels vary widely, regional access to work is inconsistent, and backlogs can develop without clear timelines for resolution. MECP’s amendments acknowledge the symptoms of the problem — but do not yet address the root causes.

As an association, Haulers of Ontario will continue advocating for:

• guaranteed service standards

• transparent PRO collaboration

• predictable processing timelines

• fair and consistent allocation of work

• stronger support for Ontario‑based recycling infrastructure

The 2026 amendments represent a partial correction — not a full solution. Our work continues. The MECP merely rectified their initial mistake from the previous amendment without addressing the real problem.

The Elephant IN The Room : MECP’s Continued Silence on the Competition Bureau’s Findings

Another concern for haulers is MECP’s continued lack of response to the Competition Bureau of Canada’s published analysis of Ontario’s tire‑recycling market. In its July 2026 submission to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Bureau stated that Ontario’s current producer‑responsibility structure has resulted in “limited competition,” “disadvantaged smaller PROs,” and “little bargaining power for service providers.” These findings describe a market where competitive pressures are weakened and where a single PRO can exert disproportionate influence over collection and processing activity. Because MECP is responsible for designing and maintaining the regulatory framework under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, the Bureau’s statement falls squarely within MECP’s mandate to address. By choosing not to implement structural reforms — such as shared PRO pooling, guaranteed service standards, or call‑in requirements — MECP has left the underlying competition concerns unresolved. This omission does not assign fault, but it does highlight that the systemic issues identified by the federal competition authority remain active and unaddressed within the provincial regulatory framework.