Tycho Brahe 

I used to bring them to Performance Bikes, but they are now gone obviously. Any other recommendations?

TakingMyTime

I know that CSULB has a big recycling program (or at least they used to). You may want to check with a local Community College or University that is near you.

Andrew_G

CSULB recycling doesn't take rubber products. I cut the metal valves out of inner tubes and recycle them at CSULB by depositing them in the scrap metal bin.

My local recycling center also doesn't take rubber products - only the standard glass, plastic and metal (aluminum, copper) items.

Maybe your local car tire store can recycle the bicycle tires and tubes. My local car tire store used to take bicycle tires and inner tubes as a courtesy, but they don't do that anymore.

I checked the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works for the Household Hazardous Waste program. Rubber products (bicycle tires and tubes) are not collected.

So, if a local car tire store can't (or won't) recycle bicycle tires and tubes, you (we) unfortunately have to throw them away.

Chinghis

My bike drawer has many old tubes that I always think will come in handy for something. Still waiting, generally.

mattcalifornia

Hi -- I'm bringing this thread back from the dead. Anyone have any ideas. I called the bike shop down the street and the owner told me they throw all their tires in the City of Santa Monica recycling bins and hope that the City puts them to good use. I know for a fact that you are not supposed to do that and the tires will just go in a land fill. Sooooo -- what to do with old tires and tubes? Any shops on the West Side of LA with proper recycling programs? Thanks.

Garfield Cat

Most likely, there's no incentive (money-wise) to recycle rubber products. Years ago, I asked the tire shop (cars) what they do with all the old tires when customers buy new one's for their cars. He said, they go to Mexico. A truck comes up and picks up all the old tires.

That brings up another topic: what does it take to recycle car tires and other tires like bike tires, scooters, and anything on rubber wheels like wheelchairs, etc.

Too costly? Perhaps the chemists will find a way...unless told not to do so.

mattcalifornia

They don't literally "recycle" them, but they can grind up the rubber and use it for things like rubberized concrete, playground surfaces, etc.

blacknbluebikes 

Can't recycle rubber, and we can blame Mr. Spock.

Garfield Cat

That's good, at least the old tires are good for something. Perhaps the tires go to a processing stage and then out comes "ground up" particles. Reminds me of the track stadium. Even at the local parks where the little kids play, the ground has this really bouncy surface.

But still, how do riders get their old tires to the processing plants? "Goodyear" where are you?

CAT7RDR

Actually knew a "Sorter" for a recycling company that did this by hand decades ago.
I imagine this is automated now as this is a $B business.

Calsun

Bike tires and tubes cannot be recycled. I often save the tubes and use them for various projects or as ties for plants to stakes. Recycle means to turn the material into something that can be manufactured into a new product and that can be done only with cardboard, glass, and metals. With glass the cost to transport it to be recycled negates any benefit from doing so and I avoid glass containers as much as possible.

plumberroy

I am not big into recycling. But bicycle tubes I never throw away. They are cut into heavy duty rubber bands that have all kinds of uses. Some people call them ranger bands . I use them to band together CO2 cartridge, folding Allen wrench type bike tool tire levers and 15mm stubby wrench so they don't rattle I saddle bags

SoSmellyAir

This is a great idea, which reminds me of the fact that when one buys live shellfish with claws (e.g., crabs, lobsters), the claws are usually held closed with wide rubber bands. I wish there was some way our old tubes can be repurposed for that.

I am also willing to collect my old tubes and mail them to another BF member who is more adept at patching.

RCMoeur 

When I get a non-patchable tube with a thin wall thickness and a larger diameter, I'll put it aside. And then during those moments when I have absolutely nothing better to do with my life, I'll snip it into hundreds of durable little rubber bands for holding together patched tubes and other items. Thickwall tubes typically are less suitable as the bands will have little stretch, and super-narrow tubes (such as 700x18) yield bands with limited utility. Something like a lightweight 29 x 2.1-2.3 or 26 x 2.1-2.3 by a higher-quality manufacturer (Bontrager, Specialized) hits the sweet spot in terms of rubber band recycling.

With current shipping costs, it would take a lot of tubes in good reusable shape (and preferably slime-free) per box to hit a breakeven point. But it's not completely impractical, given the cost of new tubes.

SoSmellyAir

I don't use slime. Currently USPS Flat Rate Medium Box (11″ x 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ or 13 5/8″ x 11 7/8″ x 3 3/8″) is $17.10. That should fit quite a few tubes if I roll them up to squeeze most of the air out. But I hardly ever flat (touch wood).

Garfield Cat

Old tires and tubes: as a filler. That way there is no need for any heating or chemical extracting, conversion stage, etc. Maybe just some cutting.

Can old tires and tubes work as an insulator for the home? How about inside the hollow doors of a home? You know, so that when bullets are flying in the hood, you won't get shot with a stray bullet.

I watched the series "Dexter" and he can cut up most anything. Tires should be no problem.

Calsun

In Los Angeles county alone more than 10 million auto tires are removed from vehicles and need to be recycled but the major facility was shut down years ago. There is a smaller operation that grinds up the tires for use in playgrounds but the tire shavings are toxic and so not a great solution. They can be used for road surfaces where the rubber is somewhat sealed but not something that children should be exposed to, much as with toxic artificial turf.

Garfield Cat

Perhaps the bike shop owners have some insight on this issue. Or even the major tire makers.

I would be curious what the Far East countries do. Isn't that where some of the tires and tubes are made?

Admittedly, not in Los Angeles area, but something to think about.

seedsbelize2

Mountains of old tubes. I throw them out every couple years, or so.
I think this kind of behavior is more common in my generation. My parents were depression kids, and my dad was a farm kid. They grew up to be hoarders, and taught their kids to be hoarders. With effort, I've managed to shake it, mostly.

Chinghis

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Growing up, I lived with my Grandma (born 1899 on a Kansas farm) and mom (1933, same). Clean your plate (at least eat the meat!), never throw anything away that might be remotely useful ten years from now, that kind of thing. My mom rebelled against this, so it fell to me to carry on the hoarding tradition.