PITTSBURGH—As bicycling increases in popularity across the U.S., Trek Bicycle and Liberty Tire Recycling are making sure that used bicycle tires find a second life.
On Dec. 4, Liberty announced that Trek would be joining its growing list of tire recycling partners, which currently includes Walmart and Bridgestone. The bicycle tire recycling program is the first of its kind in the U.S.
More than 50 million Americans bicycle at least once a year, according to Liberty Tire Recycling officials. Beginning Dec. 4, cyclists in need of new tires can drop off their old tires at participating Trek stores to be recycled, Amy Brackin, senior vice president of sustainability for Liberty Tire Recycling, said in a statement.
"We believe that every tire has more than one life to live, and we are thrilled to expand that vision to bike tires through our partnership with Trek," Brackin said. "This partnership makes cycling an even more sustainable form of transportation and recreation."
Liberty will be handling the entire recycling process, according to Brackin. The recycled materials will be taken from every part of the tire and will be used in landscaping, sustainable asphalt, sports tracks and fields, and other applications.
The recycling program comes at no cost to Trek consumers, Liberty officials said. Both companies have a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, they said, and this program will work to keep tires out of landfills across America.
"We're committed to running our business as sustainably as possible," Trek Brand Director Andrew Dutton said, "and that commitment goes beyond the sale. Joining this tire recycling effort lets us give riders an easy way to recycle their old bike tires responsibly—and we're proud to be part of it."
Participating Trek stores will have a 'Retire Your Tires' box for cyclists to drop off tires. A list of participating stores can be found here.