Styrofoam-Filled Tires Threaten B.C. Wildlife in Campbell River

On October 29, 2025, a concerning environmental issue has emerged in Campbell River, British Columbia. Eleven industrial tires, each weighing approximately 4 tonnes, have washed up on the shores near the coastal city. The tires are filled with Styrofoam, which was likely used to keep them afloat. However, this Styrofoam is now at risk of breaking down into smaller pieces, potentially being ingested by fish and birds in the area.

The Greenways Land Trust, a local non-profit organization, has been working to remove the tires, but they lack the financial and technical resources to do so effectively. Keely Dodds, the stewardship coordinator for the trust, explains that the tires are in a difficult-to-access location, and previous efforts to remove similar tires have taken seven months and cost $5,000.

The situation is further complicated by concerns about the potential leaching of chemicals from the tires into the water, which could harm the local salmon population. Peter Ross, the director of the Raincoast Conservation Foundation's healthy waters program, warns that the tires may be releasing a chemical called 6PPD-quinone, which has been shown to be lethal to coho salmon and other species.

Despite the challenges, the Greenways Land Trust and local volunteers have been working to clean up the area, removing around 430 kilograms of water-logged Styrofoam before another storm hit the region. However, the removal of the tires themselves remains a significant obstacle, and the organization is considering using helicopters, though they lack the necessary funding.