Question: I have several bicycle tubes that wold like to recycle but don’t know where. Any ideas? I live in L.A. by LAX. Emilio
Answer: The easiest solution I know of right now: The next time you visit Santa Monica, drop them off at Bikerowave. Says Alex Thompson, who’s involved with the bike co-op:
We recycle them. We just have a big box of rubber recycling, which eventually gets taken to the SM recycling center, where they actually recycle them. We don’t repurpose them = no real use/lack of volunteer resources.
You might also consider calling bike shops near you to see if they have recycling programs — but the few local ones I tried calling did not, which is why I suggest the Bikerowave route. You may, however, be luckier than me.
If you’re feeling more motivated, convince a local shop to start a recycling program with upcycling companies like Alchemy Goods or Green Guru Gear — and make bike tube recycling easier for your whole neighborhood.
Or if you’re feeling crafty, Instructables has several 1000 uses for old bicycle tubes.
Anyone know of other L.A.-based or national bike tube recycling programs?
Photo by 7-how-7
It’s worth noting that if your correspondent is going to trek up to Bikerowave, they might as well cut out the middle man and just take the tube straight to the SM recycling center.
Don Hosek’s last blog post..The Streets of Santa Monica (in Alphabetical Order) Bryn Mawr Avenue and California Avenue
Comment by Don Hosek — June 14, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Except the SM recycling center says it’ll charge a fee — and many people find the 6 am – 2 pm hours inconvenient. Bikerowave has rather odd hours too, but at least there all you have to do is throw it in a box, instead of trying to navigate the huge lot that’s the SM recycling center.
Comment by Siel — June 14, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Also, people should know that companies like Alchemy Goods won’t accept them if they are filled with green slime. (That stuff that prevents flats.)
Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish’s last blog post..FPF Anniversary! Year 2, Week 51 & 52 Results: 6.9 oz of plastic waste
Comment by Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish — June 16, 2009 @ 12:07 am
Well from their website, it doesn’t sound like Alchemy Goods takes tubes directly from individuals anyway — or at least not anymore –
Comment by Siel — June 17, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
Splaff Flopps will take them directly from individuals if they don’t have green goo inside them. http://www.splaff.com
They can be mailed to:
SPLAFF
4950 Del Mar Ave
San Diego, CA 92107
This could be an option for people who don’t have a bike shop nearby that will take them.
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Comment by Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish — June 18, 2009 @ 10:08 am
I posted an add on Craigslist and ended up giving my tubes (six years’ worth!) to a guy that makes wallets out of them.
Comment by Emily — June 18, 2009 @ 10:15 am
Thanks for the splaffy info, Beth — and for the even more local Craigslist upcycling idea, Emily!
Comment by Siel — June 24, 2009 @ 6:04 pm