Anyone know how and where to recycle bike tires and tubes?

I received the following today:


> I'm planning on attending the expo this weekend and was wondering if you
> were accepting old worn-out bike tires and tubes (none of them useable
> any longer) for recycling.  The tubes have been cut into smaller pieces
> (such as lengths of 12 inches) because at the time I did that, I didn't
> think the valves were recyclable.  I now know that tubes are more
> recyclable when left whole.  Please let me know--I have a hefty bag full
> of tubes and a few dozen tires and would be very happy to keep them out
> of the waste stream if possible--

I know this comes up now and then but I usually lose interest after the third time someone erroneously declares that Working Bikes wants them, and I guess if there's an answer I never hear it.

Thanks for any info-- told the guy I'd research it and get back to him.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by rik on February 3, 2010 at 8:02pm
h3n3
I heard that old tubes were cut up and used as black arm bands in the "Ride of Silence".
Are they useful in this way?
Permalink Reply by jen on February 3, 2010 at 8:30pm
get a grip cycles used to accept them for recycling. dont know if they still do.
Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on February 4, 2010 at 4:03am
How about LBS? The car tire shops may take them. I think there's a recycling charge when you buy car tires and leave the old behind but maybe they will take them out of the goodness of their heart.
Permalink Reply by Alan Lloyd on February 4, 2010 at 5:49am
I made the armbands for the Arlington Heights & Chicago rides of silence and, yes, they were made from old inner-tubes, but I can get more than enough inner-tubes from Working Bikes, Rapid Transit & Blue City Cycles, etc.

And, no, Working Bikes doesn't need any more inner-tubes or trashed tyres, thanks!

Alchemy Goods in Seattle used to take old inner-tubes, but I don't think they do any more as they have a more than adequate local supplies. The make bags, etc., from recycled inner-tubes.

Old bicycle tyres are a problem: I've never found anyone who wants them, even though I have heard rumours that - for example - REI in St Louis used to give them to a cement works that burnt them as fuel?

If anyone DOES know of anybody who wants (as opposed to takes, if you pay them) old tyres, please let us know - as well as Working Bikes I know of several local bike shops that are always wondering what to do with them ...
Permalink Reply by Reddog (Cliff) on February 4, 2010 at 6:28am
Instructables has many ideas for the use of old inner tubes.

http://www.instructables.com/id/10-of-1000-Uses-for-Old-Bicycle-Tubes/
Permalink Reply by Alan Lloyd on February 4, 2010 at 7:58am
I wouldn't like to discourage donations by listing things that Working Bikes does NOT want but, as you note, complete bicycles are perhaps more useful than bits & pieces - but junk frames can always be stripped and random components used to repair or build up other bikes.

One thing we can never get too much of is vounteers!

H3N3 said:
Thanks, Alan.
While we've got you, what else does Working Bikes =not= need?
I continually see suggestions that you'll be happy to accept junk frames and random components-- would be interested in your take on that as my impression is that you're really looking for whole bikes, primarily.

Alan Lloyd said:
I made the armbands for the Arlington Heights & Chicago rides of silence and, yes, they were made from old inner-tubes, but I can get more than enough inner-tubes from Working Bikes, Rapid Transit & Blue City Cycles, etc.

And, no, Working Bikes doesn't need any more inner-tubes or trashed tyres, thanks!

Alchemy Goods in Seattle used to take old inner-tubes, but I don't think they do any more as they have a more than adequate local supplies. The make bags, etc., from recycled inner-tubes.

Old bicycle tyres are a problem: I've never found anyone who wants them, even though I have heard rumours that - for example - REI in St Louis used to give them to a cement works that burnt them as fuel?

If anyone DOES know of anybody who wants (as opposed to takes, if you pay them) old tyres, please let us know - as well as Working Bikes I know of several local bike shops that are always wondering what to do with them ...
Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on February 4, 2010 at 8:36am
Thanks for spelling this out, Alan. I have a BOATLOAD of used tires/tubes in good condition taking up space in my basement that I have been saving for Working Bikes and a small box of spare parts as well. Unfortunately my 7-day a week work schedule has been preventing me from coming in to donate or volunteer. I have been meaning to arrange to leave work early to stop by for one of the Tuesday sessions, but work is CRAZY now.
Permalink Reply by Alan Lloyd on February 4, 2010 at 8:47am
Used tyres in good condition are, of course, always useful - I was thinking people wanted to recycle tyres that were no longer usuable.

I also heard of a church-supported organisation taking a load of semi-decent tyres from a local bike shop recently to use on the bikes they fix up and maintain for what I think it was a homeless shelter?

Inner-tubes that are patchable are also welcome, one of my pastimes!


Primitive Don said:
Thanks for spelling this out, Alan. I have a BOATLOAD of used tires/tubes in good condition taking up space in my basement that I have been saving for Working Bikes and a small box of spare parts as well. Unfortunately my 7-day a week work schedule has been preventing me from coming in to donate or volunteer. I have been meaning to arrange to leave work early to stop by for one of the Tuesday sessions, but work is CRAZY now.
Permalink Reply by Alan Lloyd on February 4, 2010 at 8:50am
Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on February 4, 2010 at 9:08am
Alan Lloyd said:
I was thinking people wanted to recycle tyres that were no longer usuable.
I'd like to find out too; I end up pitching a lot of unusable tires.
Permalink Reply by Alan Lloyd on February 4, 2010 at 9:08am
Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on February 4, 2010 at 1:48pm
From the CDOT Bike Program website (http://www.chicagobikes.org/public/donations.php)

Liberty Tire Recycling

The General Manager at Liberty Tire Recycling has agreed to accept bike tires and tubes from Chicago cyclists.

1323 W Cortland St
Weekdays, 7 AM-3:30 PM
Simply enter the office door



Liberty Tire will charge 50 cents per bike tire and tube pair. If you have a "truckload" of tires, please call to arrange your delivery.

What happens to the tires and tubes? The tires and tubes are shredded alongside auto tires and shipped to a cement kiln. The cement kiln uses rubber to burn as fuel to reduce its use of coal. Rubber also has a higher BTU rating (burning efficiency) than coal and doesn't emit oxides of sulfur like coal. By being burned, tires and tubes don't have to be placed in a landfill (which is banned from many landfills) where it will pose many more risks to the environment.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has this webpage of Frequently Asked Questions about TDF, Tire Derived Fuel. We recommend you do your own research on BTU, energy use, tire derived fuel, and rubber recycling to see if this kind of tire reycling is the right method for you.

If you have any tips to improve bike tire recycling in Chicago, please call or email Steven Vance in the Bike Program, 312-744-0513.

I've also inquired with Lakin General (http://www.lakincorp.com/) but they also charge to recycle them. If anyone does find a place that will take them for free in Chicago proper please let us know. Thanks!

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