That isIf you have a pile of old tires lying around, don’t throw them away just yet. There are plenty of ways to give them a second life. Here are 20 advanced uses for old tires, divided into two groups: common uses and uses in case of emergency or disaster.
Common Uses
- Raised Garden Beds: Stack old tires on top of each other and fill them with soil to create a raised garden bed.
- Playground Equipment: Cut old tires in half and turn them inside out to create swings, seesaws, and other playground equipment.
- Flooring: Cut tires into small pieces and use them as flooring for outdoor play areas.
- Planters: Cut the top half off a tire, fill it with soil, and plant your favorite flowers or herbs.
- Furniture: Use a tire as a base for a coffee table, or create a seating area by stacking and gluing tires together.
- Exercise Equipment: Use a tire for tire flips, sled pushes, or as a weight for squats and other exercises.
- Pet Beds: Cut a tire in half and place a cushion inside to make a comfy bed for your furry friend.
- Outdoor Decorations: Paint tires and use them as outdoor decorations. Also use them as plant holders, garden sculptures, or birdhouses.
Emergency or Disaster Uses
- Roof Shingles: In an emergency, old tires can be cut into sections and used as roof shingles.
- Sandbags: Fill old tires with sand and use them as sandbags to protect against flooding.
- Fire Starter: Cut tires into strips and use them as fire starter kindling.
- Heating Fuel: Burn tires as a heating fuel in a stove or fireplace.
- Emergency Stretcher: Cut a tire in half and use it as an emergency stretcher to transport injured people.
- Anchor for Boats: Fill tires with concrete and use them as anchors for boats.
- A barrier for Road Safety: Place tires on the side of the road to create a barrier for road safety in case of an accident or emergency.
- Water Collection: Use tires as a container to collect and store rainwater.
- Garden Protection: Cut a tire in half and place it around young plants to protect them from animals.
- Emergency Toilet: In case of emergency, use a tire as a toilet seat by placing it over a hole in the ground.
- Insulation: Use tires as insulation for walls or floors in a makeshift shelter.
- Energy Production: Burn tires to produce energy for cooking or heating water.
With great intentions and a little creativity and ingenuity, old tires can be turned into useful items in everyday life or in emergency situations. Don’t just throw them away. In contrast, repurpose them and help reduce waste.