Save the Planet: Laptop Bags and Smart Phone Cases Made from Recycled Tires

It is estimated that over 290 million tires from cars and trucks are thrown away by Americans every year. About 55 million of these tires are either taking up space in our landfills or are being thrown illegally on the side of the road or onto private properties. When you throw away used tires they become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents, and many of these creates carry diseases.

Since children like to play with discarded tires, this makes it a recipe for disaster. Many people also try to burn their tires, and these fires can last for months, releasing toxic chemicals into the air that can also run off into our water sources. The best way to stop these discarded tires from carrying disease and toxic chemicals is to become involved in tire recycling.

Tire recycling is the process of recycling old tires that can no longer be used efficiently by vehicles into other types of products. In 1989 only about 10% of tires were recycled, but in 2003 over 80% of tires were sent to scrap tire recycling facilities. The market for scrap tires is increasing in demand, so to keep it successful you need to do your part to prevent tires from polluting our environment.

The best thing about recycling tires is that they can be retread. This means that the old tread is buffed away and a new tread is put on the tire so it can be used again in a lot of things.

I'm really big into recycling. I hate throwing things away and will try to repurpose or give items to someone else before I send them to the landfill. That's why I was happy to learn that Better Energy Systems Ltd. (the same company that brings us Solio solar chargers) are creating cases from the discarded tires of South American Trucks. Tread cases use these tires that would otherwise be burnt or thrown in landfills.

Better Energy Systems have a smart phone protective cases, including one for the iPhone, to their eco-friendly range. Tread cases are manufactured from re-engineered Colombian truck tires and the resulting recycled material (called Butyl rubber) is heat resistant, can withstand temperatures of up to 110 degrees C (230 degrees F), is not weakened by UV light and can even survive acid being poured on it.

Only 15% of Butyl rubber is currently recycled with the rest being burned or thrown into landfills.

"We are helping to preserve the environment by giving redundant resources a new lease of life. We also believe our consumers want to do the right thing and buy products from companies that are perceptive of their environmental footprint," said Chris Hornor, CEO of Better Energy.

Each Tread bag or case is hand made in Barranquilla from used tires from local service stations in Quibdó, Columbia. Because the tire pieces are hand-cut each Tread piece will have individual markings and textures.

The existing range includes cases and bags for mobile phones and laptops whilst the new Tread cases are specially engineered for iPhones, iPod touch and a variety of smart phones.

The Tread ranges are now available, have a full one year warranty and are priced from approx. USD 17.

* Models available : universal smart phones cases, iPhone cases, iPod Touch cases, universal mobile phones cases, iPod case(all generations), Zune MP3 player cases, 15" PC and Mac bag, 15" MacBook Pro Bag, 15" Mac sleeve, cameras and Solio chargers