Bicycle tyres recycling scheme aims to double collection points by 2026

Used bike tyres

Velorim, “the UK’s simple solution to recycling bicycle tyres and inner tubes”, has announced its ambition to double collection points across the UK by 2026, as it continues its mission to make cycling greener.

With over 600 locations across the country already, the recycling service says it aims to make recycling bike tyres and inner tubes even easier for cyclists, providing a cost-effective solution to reducing the impact of cycling waste on the environment.

Every year 44,000 tonnes of bicycle tyres and inner tubes are discarded by cyclists*. Limited recycling resources means that much of this waste is either sent to landfill where materials leak lead and zinc into the soil, or incineration where 3 tonnes of CO2 are produced per one tonne of rubber incinerated.

Velorim professes an aim to tackle the issue by making the recycling of these materials as easy as possible for the cycling community. Through offering a recycling collection scheme at local bike shops, the service is set up to make recycling as convenient and cheap as possible.

Since starting collections in 2020, Velorim has collected more than 150,000 tyres and 150,000 inner tubes for recycling. To help them achieve their goal of doubling collection points by 2026, co-founders of Velorim Russ Taylor and Richard Lawrence are calling on cyclists to nominate their local bike shop, repairers and mechanics to join the scheme:

“We know that cyclists tend to take an active approach to ecological and environmental matters and our service is there to support this ethos. We have made a steady growth since starting our business in 2020, but we know there are still many areas across the country that we’re yet to reach. We’re calling on bike retailers and the cycling community to embrace the service and support us in our mission to make cycling even greener. Cyclists can nominate local bike businesses to sign up to the scheme.”

Velorim currently has more than 600 collection points across the UK. To find your nearest collection point, or to become a Velorim Centre or to nominate your local bike shop, visit Velorim-Group.com.