A new tire-recycling component will be set up at the Rimbey Recycling Facility in the spring.
The town recently received notification from the Alberta Recycling Management Authority that it has been approved for $8,668 for the 2013-2015 Tire Marshalling Area Grant.
In a letter to CAO Tony Goode, Brad Shultz, director of operations for Alberta Recycling commended the town for its application.
“The plan to upgrade the tire collection area demonstrates the dedication of the town towards ensuring a well organized, accessible temporary storage area to recycle scrap tires,” he said.
Since the inception of Alberta’s tire recycling program in 1992, 72 million tires have been collected from municipalities across Alberta and recycled into tire-derived-aggregate for use as drainage medium in municipal landfills, rubber crumb for loose fill applications or incorporated in manufactured products.
Goode said the storage area won’t be completed until spring when the ground can be worked up.
“It will certainly enhance the functionality of the recycling area,” he said.
He noted from April to December of last year 125,000 kilograms of recyclables were diverted from the landfill.
“I expect we will surpass that number this year,” he said.
The recycle centre is on the east side of Rimbey, east of Highway 20 and across the railway tracks. Its winter hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday 2 to 6 p.m. and all day Saturday.