WE RECYCLE
USED BICYCLE TIRES
AND TUBES
As a manufacturer, we take responsibility for our products - even beyond their life cycle. With the Schwalbe Recycling System, we take care of the return of inner tubes and tires in order to then recycle them and avoid unnecessary waste. The aim is to use the recovered material in the production of new goods and to further increase the proportion of recycling. With this we want to take an important step towards the circular economy.
„WE TREAT RECYCLING LIKE A PRODUCT AND HAS THE SAME PRIORITY AS ANY TECHNICAL INNOVATION.“
HOLGER JAHN - COO
A milestone reached: one million tires back in circulation
July 2024 marks a grandiose milestone in our company history: since the introduction of our tire recycling system in 2022, one million tires have been successfully collected, recycled and thus returned to the cycle.
Many thanks to all those who make this possible together with us.
SCHWALBE TIRE RECYCLING
COLLECTION
TRANSPORT
SHREDDING
- Steel
- Tissue
PYRUM THERMOLYSIS
- pyrolysis oil
- process gas
RETURN
As the first bicycle tire manufacturer in the world
we take care of the return and recycling of used bicycle tires of all brands. The completely closed circulatory system contributes proactively to the conservation of energy and resources and saves 80% CO2. This holistic recycling process was awarded the Eurobike Innovators Prize.
SCHWALBE TUBERECYCLING
100%
RECYCLABLE
Every Schwalbe tube is 100% recyclable. The recycled one Butyl rubber can be used in the production of new hoses without loss of quality are used.
STARTING- MATERIAL
Used, unsorted hoses are the starting material for recycling. In Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain and now also in Switzerland, we support the return process of old bicycle inner tubes with a collection procedure in which both bicycle dealers and end users can participate easily and free of charge.
PROCESSING
To recover the butyl rubber, a proprietary devulcanization process was developed at the Schwalbe plant in Indonesia. This method has been used very successfully for years.
80% LESS
POWER CONSUMPTION
The energy balance of this recycling process is extremely positive, including all transport routes. 80% energy saving compared to producing the same amount of new butyl.
THE NEW TUBE
Every new Schwalbe standard hose already consists of around 20% recycled raw materials. We are constantly working on further increasing the proportion of reused material without adversely affecting the quality of the new hose.
Schwalbe tube recycling was awarded the Eurobike Green Award 2015, the Green Concept Award 2020 and the German Sustainability Award 2021.
