The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans run through approximately 300 million tires a year, of which 240 million old tires are recycled. While this stat may seem decent, don’t contribute to the 70 million tires that become environmental hazards by carelessly chucking your old tires instead of taking them to a tire recycling center. Tires that end up in landfills often cause problems because the piles are unstable and some punch through landfill covers.

Even the old tires that you still have lying around your garage or backyard can give you problems. Used / old tire piles are like prime lodging for nasty critters that you don’t want scurrying anywhere near your kids. Such piles also provide habitat for disease-carrying vectors like flies and mosquitoes. Therefore, it is a good idea to do something about it sooner than later. So what can you do with your used tires? If you see signs that it’s time to get replacement tires, here are some options.

Recycling Centers

Tire recycling centers are still your best option when it comes to dealing with your old set of tires. You can search online for any tire recycling centers near you. Check out their websites if they have one and see if they have pick up and hauling services. These services can be very helpful if you have accumulated a large pile of old rubber. If you can’t find any information about any tire recycling centers near you, check out your local government’s website. Some municipalities also have special arrangements for old tire pickup and disposal. In case you bought a new set of tires, some tire dealers give you the option of handling your old tires for recycling for a small fee.

Repurposing the Tires

There are many different ways that you can use old tires and make them useful again. Among the most common items that you can transform your tires into are swings and planters. Tire swings are by far, one of the easiest upcycling projects that you can do. Clean up the tire, polish or paint it if you want, tie it to a branch of a tree and you’re done. Converting them to planters is another popular way to upcycle used tires. Some have even become so adept at the project that they have made larger swaths of garden beds with tires. While there are those who are not fans of this gardening method, its proponents claim that tires are very useful in keeping the soil together. used tires may also be used in the yard as hanging tree planters and open bottom compost bins.

DIY Projects

The internet is teeming with ideas on how to recycle old tires through simple do-it-yourself projects. One popular recycling idea is to convert them into furniture pieces. With a few materials and a little creativity, you can convert an old tire into a center coffee table or even a complete outdoor lounge set. Since the material is naturally resistant to wear, the old tires may also be used for other outdoor projects including playground items such as climbing ladders, seesaws and sandboxes, bike racks and trash bins. If upcycling your used tires or using them for your DIY projects is something that is not possible for you, take them to tire recycling centers before they become a problem. Doing so will not only spare you from a future dilemma, but you’ll also be doing the environment and your community a favor.  

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