Accumulation of inner tubes for recycling not only reduces the amount of waste being placed in landfills, but also results in payment for the tubes, generally in excess of the amount paid for paper, aluminum or other scrap materials.

For shipping purposes, U.S. Rubber Reclaiming is generally interested in full truckload quantities (approximately 40,000 pounds). If an accumulation of an amount that large is not practical in some areas, USRR is able to pick up smaller loads or may refer you to an independent contractor in your area.

Most scrap tubes are generated by commercial truck tires, heavy equipment tires and farm tires. From a collector’s perspective, tubes are generally found in relatively small amounts (several thousand pounds) and must be accumulated for shipping. There are many truck stops, commercial tire dealers and agricultural tire dealers who have 2,000 pounds per month of tubes but are not willing to accumulate full loads.

Possible sources of scrap butyl tubes include:

• Commercial or agricultural tire dealers and truck stops
• Individuals or companies in the waste tire disposal business
• Tire re-treaders
• Commercial trucking fleets

USRR Recycling Policy: Tubes should not include flaps, curing envelopes, curing bladders, chlorobutyl (green stripe) tubes or other foreign materials.

Payment Policy: USRR will pay for tubes delivered to Vicksburg, MS at the time of delivery. All other tubes are paid for on the Friday following receipt in Vicksburg.