Schwalbe’s sustainability-boosting tube recycling programme reaches France & Belgium

Schwalbe is continuing to roll out its tube recycling programme, with customers in France and Italy now able to return used bicycle inner tubes to specialist retailers.

Since the start of the tube recycling programme in 2015, more than ten million tubes have already been recycled. The addition of France and Italy brings the number of participating countries to ten (Germany, Austria, the UK, Benelux, the USA, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) – with more in the pipeline.

Used tubes are sent back to Schwalbe in bundles, recycled using a devulcanization process developed in-house and used for the production of new products. Today, every Schwalbe standard inner tube already contains around 20% recycled raw material. The energy balance of the recycling process, including all transportation routes, is extremely positive, said that brand. Compared to the production of the same amount of new butyl, 80% energy is saved.

Participation in the programme is free of charge for all bicycle dealers. The process is very simple: First, old bicycle inner tubes – regardless of brand – are collected in boxes. Dealers can then log into the UPS portal with their Schwalbe ID, print out the free shipping label and attach it to the tube package. The parcel can then be handed in at the UPS store, to the UPS couriers or a collection can be arranged.

Schwalbe tube recycling was awarded the Eurobike Green Award 2015, the Green Concept Award 2020 and the German Sustainability Award 2021.

Last year, Schwalbe presented its first bicycle tyre made from, among other things, used tyres – the Green Marathon.

General information about recycling at Schwalbe can be found at https://www.schwalbe.com/recycling/