Article by Kayce Yardam
Supply Chain & Ecommerce Manager
Counteract Balancing Beads Inc.

As a fisherman working in the waters of Ontario and British Columbia, I’ve spent decades reeling in everything from bass and walleye to salmon and trout. I’ve watched our lakes and rivers change, and not always for the better. While we often talk about pollution from big industries or overfishing, there’s one culprit that rarely gets the attention it deserves—the tire industry.

You might not think tires would have anything to do with the fish in our lakes and rivers, but the truth is, they’re leaving a lasting mark on our fisheries and, by extension, my way of life.

Tires and Our Waters

Tires are more than just rubber; they’re made up of a mix of chemicals, including heavy metals and synthetic materials. Over time, tires wear down, and those tiny particles, known as microplastics, find their way into our waterways. It’s estimated that 28% of global microplastic pollution comes from tire wear particles alone. When you think about the countless vehicles on the road and the sheer number of tires being worn down, it’s no wonder our lakes are getting filled with more than just fish.

In Ontario and BC, where I spend most of my time fishing, tire-related pollution has seeped into freshwater ecosystems. Once those microplastics enter the water, they settle in the sediment, where bottom-dwelling fish like whitefish, carp, and even trout feed. The chemicals leach into their food sources, disrupting the food chain and harming fish populations.

The Impact on Fish and Fishing

For me and other fishermen, the changes are noticeable. Over time, I’ve seen fewer fish in areas that were once teeming with life. There’s been a decrease in salmon and trout populations in BC rivers, and I’ve noticed walleye and bass behaving differently in Ontario lakes. Tire pollutants can affect fish behavior, growth, and reproduction, making it harder for species to thrive.

And it’s not just about catching fewer fish. As a fisherman, I rely on the health of these species for my livelihood. If the fish disappear, so does the entire ecosystem that supports them—everything from aquatic insects to birds and mammals. It’s a chain reaction, and tires are playing a bigger part in breaking that chain than most people realize.

Programs Offering Hope

Thankfully, not all is lost. There are programs and efforts in place to reduce the impact of the tire industry on our waterways, giving us fishermen hope that we can restore the balance.

Tire Recycling: Across Canada, tire recycling programs are stepping up to ensure that tires don’t end up rotting in landfills or illegally dumped near water bodies. Ontario’s Used Tires Program, for example, ensures that 90% of tires in the province are diverted from landfills and repurposed into new products, such as playground surfaces and rubberized asphalt. Fewer tires lying around mean fewer particles entering our rivers and lakes.

Tire Stewardship Initiatives: British Columbia’s Tire Stewardship BC has taken tire recycling further by supporting research and development in environmentally friendly products. The more tires that get recycled, the less rubber waste ends up in our freshwater ecosystems.

Eco-Friendly Tires: Some companies are working on eco-friendly tire options that are designed to wear down less quickly and release fewer harmful microplastics into the environment. These initiatives are a promising step towards reducing the amount of tire pollution entering the water, helping to protect our fish.

Counteract Balancing Beads: One company leading the charge is Counteract Balancing Beads, based in Ontario, Canada. Their innovative tire-balancing solutions help extend the life of tires on transport trucks and other vehicles, reducing the need for tire replacements and cutting down on waste. What’s more, they contribute to an estimated 2% savings in fuel consumption, which also means fewer emissions being released into the atmosphere. By keeping tires running longer and more efficiently, they’re helping reduce the overall environmental impact of the tire industry.

A Fisherman’s Call to Action

Fishing is more than a hobby for me; it’s my passion and my connection to nature. It pains me to see tire pollution damaging the waters I’ve fished in my whole life. But we’re not powerless. By supporting tire recycling programs and choosing eco-friendly products when possible, we can slow down the damage.

As fishermen, we’ve always been stewards of the water, and now we need to extend that stewardship to every aspect of our lives—including the tires on our trucks and trailers that take us to our fishing spots. Every tire that gets recycled, every bit of plastic that stays out of the lake, is a step towards preserving the waters we depend on.

The Earth—and its fisheries—are tired, but with continued efforts, we can help them recover.

Sources

• “Tire Wear and Microplastic Pollution.” Environmental Science Journal, 2023.
• Ontario Tire Stewardship. “Tire Recycling in Ontario: A Success Story,” 2022.
• Counteract Balancing Beads. “Eco-Friendly Solutions for Tire Balancing.”
• Tire Stewardship BC. “Annual Report 2023: Protecting Our Waterways.”
• Energy Efficiency Alliance. “Retreading Tires: A Sustainable Solution,” 2023.