Mrs. Appel, why did you decide to take part in Schwalbe tire recycling? "Each of us can do our bit to protect the environment. I don't just see the industry has a responsibility here, we retailers can also do something. What's more, sustainability not necessarily mean doing without or incurring higher costs. We at Pedalwerk Baunatal are behind this concept. I recently had the pleasure of giving a presentation on sustainability at the Bike Expo Kassel consumer fair. I recently gave a presentation on the subject of sustainability. Among other things, I also talked about Schwalbe tire recycling. tire recycling."
How do you explain the benefits of the Schwalbe tire recycling system to your customers? "Generally speaking, Pedalwerk Baunatal tends to attract sustainable customers, so it's easy to customers about the possibility of tire recycling. They are happy to take the opportunity opportunity and show understanding for the low costs. We can inform our customers customers with the example of the "Green Marathon", which in turn creates a positive This in turn ensures a positive attitude towards Schwalbe tire recycling. We have also gradually switched all Marathons to the Green Marathon since it came onto the market." You are also committed to the environment and sustainability beyond Schwalbe tire recycling. sustainability. Can you give us a few examples? "It is important to us to raise our employees' awareness of these issues. For example, we took part in training from Ortlieb so that we can carry out repairs on site more effectively and thus save on transportation and make products more durable. We also generally make sure products with short distances, preferably unpackaged and reusable. reusable. Another project we are involved in is a reusable cleaning cloth system." That sounds exciting. What exactly is it all about? "The oil-smeared rags are collected from the workshop and cleaned by the supplier. The provider disposes of the dirty water professionally, which prevents oil residues from entering the from entering domestic waste water. We also no longer use environmentally harmful lubricants. used by us." How do you involve your employees in the topic of sustainability? "To ensure that our employees are also actively involved, we have a monthly brainstorming session in which we discuss sustainable ideas together and consider how these can be put into practice. And to show that environmental awareness can also be can also be fun, we cook once a month with our employees, true to the motto: Regional, Seasonal and Unpackaged. These topics are very important to us, which is why we are also regularly exchange ideas with other retailers and customers.TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FURTHER
Do you know what happens to your old bike tires and tubes? For a long time, they ended up in the garbage to be incinerated. Tires were too complex to be sensibly and economically recycled. The good news: We have changed that. Together with specialist retailers, inner tubes and tires are returned to us via the Schwalbe recycling system – over 18 million tubes since 2015 and over 2.4 million tires since 2022 (as at July 2026). The material is used to produce recycled butyl and recycled carbon black, which is used in new Schwalbe products. Recycling can be so easy – why not give it a go? Collections at participating specialist retailers.
THE SCHWALBE TUBE RECYCLING
SINCE 2015 – OVER 18 MILLION INNER TUBES
Did you know that we have collected bicycle inner tubes since 2015? Since then, over 18 million inner tubes have been returned and recycled via the Schwalbe recycling system.
SAVE ENERGY
Recycled Butyl from the Schwalbe recycling system creates 97 percent less CO₂ compared to new fossil fuel-based butyl – Partial Product Carbon Footprint according to ISO 14040/14044/14067, global warming potential over 100 years (GWP100), including transport routes. Every new standard Schwalbe tube contains around 20% recycled butyl, based on the compound.
11 COUNTRIES
Inner tubes are collected via the Schwalbe recycling system in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Great Britain and North America. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a particularly high number of specialist retailers participate – there’s bound to be one near you.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TUBE RECYCLING
Used, unsorted tubes are the raw material for recycling. We now provide support in eleven countries to return all bike inner tubes using a collection method in which both bike retailers and end-users can participate free of charge.
THE UNIQUE SCHWALBE TIRE RECYCLING
For many years, we have worked with research and business partners on solutions and processes. In 2022, we were the first bike tire manufacturer to start a return and recycling system for used tires – for all makes of tire.
THE COSTS
Disposing of tires costs money – even the previous usual practice of incineration was subject to a fee. Our system also has a cost: Returning used tires involves time-consuming logistics and a multi-stage recycling process. This keeps the material in circulation instead of being incinerated. Therefore we charge participating specialist retailers a fee. They can choose whether to pass some of that onto you. We run the tire recycling system on a non-profit basis.
THE GREEN MARATHON
- In 2022, we were the first bicycle tire manufacturer to collect old tires and use the recycled carbon black (rCB) obtained from them in a new tire – the Green Marathon. 80% recycled and renewable raw materials, based on total weight – 30 % recycled, 50 % renewable. This includes rCB from the Schwalbe recycling system. Made with fairly traded natural rubber (Fair Rubber e. V.). The fair-trade rubber is allocated across the supply chain based on the mass balance rather than physically to the individual tires.
- Excellent puncture protection thanks to GreenGuard - the puncture protection belt made of recycled and renewable raw materials, including recycled latex and natural rubber
- Modern, sporty profile design.
- Recommended for bikes and e-bikes.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT TIRE RECYCLING
As a manufacturer, we take responsibility for our products – even after use. Since 2022, we have collected tires at specialist retailers and sent them for recycling via the Schwalbe recycling system. The material recovered is used in new products.
