The Time Has Come for Tubes
Karl Ehlert is on a mission to get inner tubes out of our landfills. A cyclist and chiropractor based in Redwood City, California, Karl is working to initiate an inner tube recycling program for the Bay Area, home to a thriving community of cyclists. Karl’s team, Alto Velo, boasts over 400 active cycling members alone; add the more than 50 other cycling teams and registered clubs in the area, and you’ll start to get an idea of the number of cyclists (and tubes) in the community.
Such a large community of cyclists might mean an even larger pileup of tubes in our landfills, but a large community also means a wealth of resources. With your help, the Bay Area cycling community can become a leader in reducing waste in the cycling industry!
If you know of a bike shop that would be willing to collect old tubes from local cyclists for recycling, or if you have other ideas or suggestions to contribute to this program, please leave a comment, or email me at amrais (at) elementalaction (dot) com. Your help could be the key to implementing this innovative program!
From Karl:
“I am embarking on a mission to at least recycle butyl inner tubes and hopefully bicycle tires as well. The tubes should be a no brainer, as sans the valve stem with 2 snips, the material is pure and ready for recycling. Now to just find a recycler.
I am trying to coordinate with Specialized, who already has program in motion. I know managers of 4 bike shops that would be on board, not to mention 400 AV’rs [Alto Velo cyclists - ed.] that could contribute as well. Point is, we could get a significant bulk of material with a little coordination and perhaps establish a route for pick up for local recycling.
The little contact that I have had with rubber recyclers don’t want to bother with small amounts.
I am just putting this out there to hopefully get you on board . . . get large bike industry companies on board and hopefully just get this going. I am concerned that each company wants exclusive bragging/advertising claims to being a green rubber recycler, but me, I just want to keep them out of the landfill.”
Your ideas and help can help old tubes find new uses, instead of filling space in our landfills. Leave your ideas and suggestions by adding a Comment or e-mail Amber at amrais (at) elementalaction (dot) com.
Perhaps in conjunction with advertising this program there could be some mention of patching tubes, and maybe even some how-to guidance. I know far too many riders who never patch a tube. One puncture = in the trash (or recycled, hopefully). A proper patching job (not the self-sticking ones) is just as airtight as a new tube and only adds a tiny bit of weight.
One doesn’t need to sit on the side of the road and wait for the rubber cement to set up, either. Just carry a couple new tubes with you in your saddle bag for when you get a flat. Bring the punctured tube home and set it aside. Once you’ve produced a few, patch them all at once and replenish your supply of ready-to-use tubes. Doing it this way saves time, and patching saves money and is even more environmentally friendly than recycling.
leonbucky
February 8, 2008