Environment news : Trek, Alchemy Goods and REI Stores to Recycle Bike Tubes for Accessories Maker Alchemy Goods

Alchemy Goods, manufacturer of upcycled bags and accessories, has partnered with Trek and REI to create a bike tube recycling network with 600 locations in nearly every state.

This network already includes over 600 locations, including Trek dealers, REI stores and independent bike shops in nearly every state. To-date, Alchemy Goods has collected over 400,000 bicycle inner tubes — thereby diverting them from the landfill. It hopes to increase that number to 1 million by the end of 2014 through the new network.

Cycling is on the rise as more cities adopt bike-friendly measures including the addition of bike lanes and bike share programs. According to the League of American Bicyclists, bike commuting grew by 47-percent nationwide between 2000 and 2011. In fact, over 13 million bikes were purchased last year alone. From those purchased, 26 million bike tubes will end up in the landfill within two years. This is harmful to the environment since rubber can take anywhere from decades to hundreds of years to decompose.

“Our partnership with Alchemy is a reflection of our love of cycling and our commitment to serving our members,” said Kirk Myers, REI’s manager of sustainability. “REI is happy to be a part of this network, and collaborate with like-minded companies who share our commitment to social and environmental responsibility.”

Alchemy Goods aims to collect over 200,000 bike tubes by the end of this year — more than double what was collected in 2012. The alliance with Trek and REI and hundreds of independent bike shops aims to collect one million used bike tubes by the end of 2014.

“As part of our sustainability initiative, we’re always looking for innovative ways to recycle materials, and Alchemy is the perfect partner for that,” said Trek Director of Advocacy Brandon Buth. “We are aiming to collect tubes at each of our 1,800 retailers across the U.S., making recycling easy and accessible.”

Recycling program partners collect used tubes when shop mechanics service bikes or when customers drop them off. The tubes are then delivered to Alchemy Goods’ 5,300-square-foot warehouse and workshop in Seattle, where they are stored and sorted, and hand-crafted into finished product. Alchemy Goods accepts most tubes — even those with patches, which add character to the finished product. The company uses as much of the tube as possible, including the valve stem, which is used for zipper pulls.

“The reason these rubber tubes don’t break down in the landfill is the same reason Alchemy Goods uses them to create our products. The material is durable, water resistant, flexible, and — might I add — stylish,” said owner and chief alchemist Eli Reich. “Recycling turns stuff into the same thing over and over again. Upcyling turns something of lesser value into something of greater value.”

When Alchemy Goods started in 2004, Reich would visit Seattle-area bike shops to pick up used bike tubes to make messenger bags. Alchemy Goods now manufactures nearly 50 products — including bags, purses, wallets, belts, travel kits, and more — in over 200 styles from reclaimed bike inner tubes, seatbelts, and old advertising banners. Each piece is unique and handmade. The products are sold online, and in over 300 boutiques and bike shops nationwide.

Seattle-based Alchemy Goods has been manufacturing upcycled bags and accessories since 2004 from reclaimed materials, including used bike tubes, seat belts, and advertising banners. From bags to belts, the company’s line includes nearly 50 products available in over 200 styles.

Source Alchemy through SportsOneSource