It takes time, commitment, and passion to create spaces in communities that are welcoming, safe and sustainable. No matter whether you’re a parent, a neighbour with passion, or a volunteer on the school council, there are many ways to help revitalize your community.
One element that defines a community is its approach to environmental preservation. Across Canada, towns and cities are taking the initiative to ensure future generations are able to experience the environment in the same way that past and present generations have. Recycling projects, for example, limit waste and preserve the environment. A project might incorporate recycled products into a new design or include sustainable elements.
“We want to encourage municipalities to rethink the way they approach building or updating their community spaces and consider more sustainable options,” says Andrew Horsman, executive director of Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS). “Ontario communities invest considerable resources to support recycling as a method for protecting the environment and our Community Renewal Fund is one way we can help communities to further benefit from that effort.”
Eight in 10 Ontarians say they believe their community would benefit from incorporating recycled tire products into projects, according to a survey commissioned by OTS “This is why, after a successful relaunch of the Community Renewal Fund last year, OTS is bringing it back in 2016,” Horsman points out.
The fund, he says, gives eligible communities and organizations the opportunity to build spaces using sustainable materials made with recycled rubber from Ontario tires. Awards can be up to $50,000 to be used towards the purchase and installation of Ontario-manufactured recycled rubber products such as rubber mulch, athletic and arena flooring, sidewalk pavers, and even playground surfacing.
To date the fund has supported over 37 projects across the province, including new athletic tracks, accessible playgrounds, outdoor learning classrooms and more.
Additional information, including how to apply for the fund online, is available at www.RethinkTires.ca.
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