Annual free tire recycling event returns to Kelowna

Central Okanagan residents are invited to recycle their spare vehicle tires, bike tires and inner tubes on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the RDCO’s annual, free tire recycling event. Spare vehicle tires will be accepted on or off rims, at no cost. Please ensure all items are clean of debris before dropping off. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Okanagan College in Kelowna.

For 10 years, the event has helped remove more than 15,000 unwanted tires from yards and fields where they can hold water and provide an ideal habitat for mosquito larvae to develop. The collection is intended for residential cleanup only. Businesses that sell or generate scrap tires should visit www.tsbc.ca to arrange for a collection.

"An old tire can hold just enough water to become a perfect mosquito nursery," said Curtis Fediuk, president of Duka Environmental Services Ltd. "Removing them is a simple way to keep mosquito numbers in check on properties and in the region."

The event is a partnership between the RDCO, mosquito control contractor Duka Environmental Services Ltd. and Tire Stewardship BC.

Even small amounts of standing water in tires, buckets or planter pots can create ideal habitats for mosquito larva to thrive. Along with tire recycling, residents can help by:

·         Removing water from containers such as old tires, planter pots and buckets

·         Covering rain barrels with a fine mesh screen

·         Refreshing water in birdbaths, pet bowls and wading pools at least twice a week

·         Draining unused pools and aerating ponds

·         Eliminating any water collecting on tarps or pool covers

Tire Stewardship BC collects and recycles scrap tires through a province-wide program. Collected tires are processed at a recycling facility in Delta, B.C., and transformed into products such as running tracks, playground surfacing and animal mats, helping divert tires from landfills. When purchasing new tires, consumers can leave their old tires with participating retailers for recycling.

Anyone who cannot attend the event can find a free return-to-retailer location at www.tsbc.ca.