Today, we place a higher premium on sustainability and environmental awareness than ever before. Disposing of old tires doesn't fit well with this new trend. Tires might not actually be incinerated in a waste-to-energy facility, but they're more likely to end up in a landfill than be melted down and made into roads. When community members and individuals try to come up with eco-friendly solutions to the problem of tires, they often resort to some sort of jury-rigged tire fire. That's not even a half-solution; it's a kind of half-measure that risks our environmental health in ways we're just beginning to understand.

A very common application of old tires is landscaping and gardening. They provide a fresh and imaginative way to upcycle what is otherwise an accumulation of rubber waste and an indoor fire hazard. By cutting tires in half or not cutting them at all, you can create planters that somehow impart a very rugged and cheerful air to the garden. If you want to color them, color them (but please, if you're going to do this, use something safe; oil-based paints and spray paints are not safe for you, the plants, or the environment). Tire planters are eco-friendly, long-lasting, and sure to provide plenty of decoration and conversation in your front or back garden.

Playgrounds are becoming yet another surprising avenue for the innovative recycling of old tires. An increasing number of communities are now using recycled tires to create the play areas for their children. In those many communities, children can swing from swing sets made from old tires, climb old tires stacked to create upward pathways, and enjoy the soft landings made possible by shredded tires (not "too shredded" to make a rescue dog or cat finding it easy to roam around) that would be "too shredded" if, say, using actual shredded paper for the landing area. These are some of the ways to use old tires in imaginative ways while also using them in a manner that keeps them out of landfills.

If you have an interest in art and creativity, old tires can be a fantastic medium of artistic expression. Artists around the world have taken to using tires to create sculptures, installations, and functional art. Cutting, painting, and shaping tires can yield some stunning results, and those who have tried their hand at it say the medium offers a lot of room for personal expression. And community art projects that involve transforming tires into art installations can engender a sense of coherence and camaraderie among locals in the spaces where they install their art.

Besides these innovative applications, recycling old tires is vital for controlling tire waste. Numerous recycling facilities take tires and break them down into many products. For instance, shredded tires can be made into rubber mulch, an excellent substitute for landscaped areas. Mulch from tires is good for gardens and playgrounds because it lasts a long time, does not attract pests, and affords excellent drainage. In addition, it has some superior qualities compared to wood mulch. "Recycled rubber mulch does not float, nor does it produce the kind of dust generated by wood or bark mulch; thus, in a heavy rain, it won't wash away, and it won't inhibit breathing in a windstorm."

If you don't have the time or desire to do-it-yourself or be artistic, think about giving your used tires to local charities or organizations. Non profits and community groups often accept old tires for an array of endeavors, from construction to landscaping. Your donation saves the tires from the landfill and helps these groups do useful work. Plus: it's a pretty simple thing to do, and it's hard to see how anyone could object to it.

In summary, the issue of old tires is one that encourages invention and accountability. We can turn tires into all sorts of interesting things—like garden planters, for instance—and that helps keep them out of the landfill. But using old tires in imaginative and responsible ways is just part of the story. What happens when we can't think of any more uses for them? Well, we can recycle them, and recycling them plays a vital role in reducing environmental impact and in promoting sustainable development.