Old tires could protect new convention centre

Used tires from Nova Scotia could soon make their way into a big development in Charlottetown.

A Halifax tire recycling plant has its eye on helping with the construction of the new convention centre on the waterfront. Halifax Construction and Debris Recycling shreds old tires into tire-derived aggregate (TDA).

Spokesman Jim Simmons told CBC News Wednesday recent research has shown TDA can make waterfront construction greener and cheaper.

"A lot of work has been done on TDA for retaining wall backfill, particularly in the state of California, and they found that you could actually under the same conditions build a 35 per cent higher wall, or use 25 per cent less steel and concrete in that wall, if you use TDA," said Simmons.

Simmons said the design team for the Charlottetown Convention Centre has been talking with tire recycling manufacturers about TDA for the sea wall.

"The TDA manufacturers on the Island would be in tune with that project," he said.

"They're aware of the beneficial properties, and we'd be willing to help and support where we could on that."

Halifax Construction and Debris Recycling is also looking to partner on the Halifax Convention Centre, and the city's new library.