What happens when you get a flat or have skidded out your tire? Turns out, nothing good!

We use the term “waste” loosely at ReTyred, as we believe used rubber is an essential resource. One of the more popular “recycling” solutions for used vehicle tires is to trun them into TDA or Tire Derived Aggregate. This aggregate is a key comment for producing Rubberized Asphalt, which, according to the US Tire Manufactures Association, is the best re-use application for this type of “waste”.

Unfortunately, The Illinois General Assembly’s Enviromental Protection ACT does not apply to the cycling industry, and with over 80 registered bicycle shops in Chicago, you can begin to imagine the amount of “waste” generated each and every season. Even more insulting, most states PAY for their waste tires to be transported to neighboring states for processing, thus adding fuel, labor, road maintenance costs, and most importantly, time, to the entire process.

Most tire “recycling” providers (such as Liberty Tire) burn their tires in a practice called TDF or Tire Derived Fuel. The energy generated from the incineration of TDF helps to fuel cement kilns, but creates tons of CO2 emissions in the process. EVEN MORE PROCESSORS  participate in monofill operations, the practice of burying tires in large underground caves or fills, until technology catches up for “repurposing” YET they say it’s really to prevent the spread of diseases (insects like misquotes leave larva in standing water, often captured in “waste” tires!).

ReTyred’s commitment to partner shops: We will sustainable divert, transport, and store your “waste”, while ensuring best “recycling” practices are used. Once we have filled our containers with 10,000 or more diverted tires, we coordinate with local EPA state certified tire processors for collection and the road to up-cycling begins!

By ensuring our partners “waste” rubber will be converted into TDA, or Tire Derived Aggregate, ReTyred corners an untapped market, helping to expedite the creation of this much needed component for the never ending road maintenance operations here in Illinois!

What about tires that still have useable tread or tubes that still hold air you ask? We got you! Our partnership with local non-profit Working Bikes helps to ensure the up-cycle of collected tubes and tires. Not only can we further eliminate “waste”, but we ensure a key resource is diverted and donated to the best suitable application! Just think, your “waste” can unlock critical service access for humans across the globe, and all it takes is NOT THROWING IT AWAY!

We all share this small, beautiful planet, and we owe it to each other to leave it better than we found it!

Reduce, Reuse, ReTyred

*Board of Director Bio’s coming January 2026