Sparwood’s Frank J. Michell Elementary School will get a new playground made using recycled tires.
“They are in desperate need of a playground. They have roughly 20 per cent of their student population living with a form of disability. This means their inaccessible playground neglects a significant portion of their community use,” said Rosemary Sutton, Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC) executive director. “Our rubber playground surfaces provide that accessibility to anybody, young or old, with accessibility issues.”
TSBC officials said the project will utilize 8,713 scrap tires.
“The use of recycled material is becoming much more of a conversation that’s happening,” said Sutton. “It’s an excellent use for the 5.5 million equivalent car tires that we recycle in the province every year.”
Frank J. Michell Elementary School’s new playground surface is one of 10 projects across B.C. that received grants to begin or complete work involving the use of recycled tires.
“We’re happy to see those tires come back into communities in a useful way,” said Sutton.
In total, 27,920 scrap tires will be used, with Sparwood’s projects being the single-largest recipient.
“B.C.’s scrap tire program has been recycling tires for over 30 years, and it is the oldest recycling program in Canada,” said TSBC officials. “Since the scrap tire recycling program was first established in BC in 1991, over 100 million tires have been recycled in the province.”