5 Ways to Recycle Old Tires

No need to toss those old bike or car tires! Consider these 5 ways to recycle old tires!

Today’s post is written by Akshata,* who not only loves to travel and write, but also enjoys sustainable living—especially when it comes to old tires!

5 Ways to Recycle Old Tires

Tires can be used for much more than wheeling your car around, so if you have any old tires lying around, think twice before throwing them away. There are a whole bunch of great ways to recycle and upcycle tires into everything from home decor items to utilitarian yard projects. Here are 5 of my favorite things to do with old tires:

1. Tire Ottoman

There are many different styles of tire ottomans, but I particularly love this rope-covered one from Boredom Therapy.

If I didn’t know better, I’d have pegged this piece of furniture as something from a boutique furniture store—it just looks so artsy and stylish! Even though it takes some time to create, it is worth the money you will save rather than buying a similar piece elsewhere. These funky little pieces of furniture might be just what you need to add an edge to your living room.

2. Hose Caddy

I’ve always had a hard time finding an effective and sustainable way to store hoses. More often than not, my hoses end up lying on the ground, getting unnecessarily tangled up, resulting in a mess that isn’t pretty to look at. This hose caddy eliminates that problem, and is a neat and extremely simple way to keep your hoses tidy.

All you have to do is cut one sidewall off an old tire, and then curl your hose up in it. You can get creative with your caddy, too, and paint it to match your garden, or decorate it in any other way you’d like for a polished appearance.

3. Tire Mirror Frame

Another home decor project, but this tire mirror frame is somewhat less time-consuming than the ottoman. This one works especially well with bicycle tires as they are the perfect thickness to give off an elegant finish.

Upcycling an old bicycle tire into this wonderful mirror frame is very simple; all it requires is matching the mirror to the tire size. It’s easy to customize, too, with different ornaments, paint colors, and patterns to your liking!

4. Tire Planter

If I had to choose my favorite tire project among the ones listed here, I’d be hard pressed to pick between these tire planters by DIY Showoff or the tire ottoman. I especially love these tire planters for many reasons. First, because they look absolutely beautiful, and secondly, they are an item of great utility.

Yes, they do require a little bit of effort, but the end result, as you can see, is definitely worth it. Last summer I undertook this little project and followed the instructions to the tee. I spray-painted my tire a baby pink, and it came out looking very cutesy.

In case you decide to use your planter as an indoor decorative item for parties and such, consider planting plants that look especially lovely when hanging. I ended up planting some geraniums, which by the way are also an edible flower—meaning you not only have a pretty plant, but one you can make some delicious and easy rose geranium jelly with for those summer parties! Obviously, you can see I’m sold on these tire planters, so do try them and let me know how they turn out and what you end up planting!

5. Tire Swing

A tire swing is the ultimate garden decor accessory, even if you don’t have kids. Tire swings are a simple but wonderful little addition that bring back wonderful childhood memories. Furthermore, they make a unique style statement, and can act as decorative “seating” during a little garden stroll or a casual garden tea party.

Tire swings add to the welcoming vibe of any space and will always be a crowd-pleaser in the summer months. Not to mention they are super easy to put together! If you do have kids, then you probably don’t need any convincing as to why tire swings make the perfect outdoor accessory. Don’t be afraid to get creative, transforming your tire swing into a work of art! (For more great tire swing suggestions see these 12 ideas from Morning Chores.)

Hopefully, these ideas will convince you to not throw your old tires away and inspire you to reuse and recycle them! What’s not to like about less environmental waste and a unique end product? Ultimately, revamping old tires into artsy and useful items is a win-win situation!

*Akshata has a passion for traveling and exploring the world. She loves to write, and is especially interested in sustainability in everyday life. Being a foodie, she spends a good amount of time cooking up healthy concoctions in her kitchen, recording her recipes and travel adventures on her blog, With Love From Akshata.