Trek and REI have partnered with Alchemy Goods to form a nationwide bike tube recycling network with the goal of collecting 1 million bike tubes by the end of 2014.
This network includes more than 600 Trek bicycle dealers and 1,800 retailers — REI stores and independent bike shops — and is represented in nearly every state, the companies say. To-date, Alchemy Goods has collected more than 400,000 bicycle inner tubes, diverting them from the landfill. The company manufactures bags and accessories from reclaimed materials, including used bike tubes, seat belts and advertising banners.
According to the partners, more than 13 million bikes were purchased last year and from those purchased, 26 million bike tubes will end up in the landfill within two years. Rubber can take anywhere from decades to hundreds of years to decompose, the companies say.
Alchemy Goods aims to collect more than 200,000 bike tubes by the end of this year — more than double what was collected in 2012.
Source: Environmental Leader