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It can be difficult to know what to do with old forklift tyres, especially if they’ve suffered a puncture or a blow out. The ways in which you can get rid of old forklift tyres are limited. There aren’t many options available, more so if you’re looking to be as sustainable as possible in their disposal.
With this in mind, we’re going to be giving you a few ideas on repurposing forklift tyres yourself to prevent them from ending up in landfill. Whether you bring them home and use them as steps in your garden or donate them to local projects, here are ten ways in which you can repurpose old forklift tyres:
1. Make a garden sculpture
Rubber is incredibly easy to work with, as are forklift tyres thanks to their round shape and solid structure. This makes them ideal for creating garden sculptures. You may want to get some inspiration first as to the different shapes you could make, but the options should be limitless if you’re using old forklift tyres to achieve the desired result. Not only will you be left with a focal point for your garden, but you’ll also be preventing the tyres from going to landfill.
2. Create a sandbox
If you have children who are wanting to get adventurous in the garden, then an old forklift tyre would make the perfect sized sandpit for any child. Simply clean the forklift tyre thoroughly and then fill it with sand. Give your children buckets and spades to play with and it could make for many hours of uninterrupted fun. Not to mention, it will all be contained within that forklift tyre, meaning it’s mess-free – a delight for any parent.
3. Build an outdoor table or stool
If you have multiple forklift tyres that you don’t want, then stack them together and secure them properly, adding a thin and flat platform to the top of the pile to create a garden table. It doesn’t have to be completely sturdy, but as long as it can be used to place drinks or the odd plate on, you’ll have found a new and inventive use for the forklift tyres you don’t want.
Alternatively, you could, using the same principle, turn them into a stool to sit on whilst you’re in the garden. Whether you’re looking to catch some rays or want something to rest on while you do the weeding. Forklift tyres make the perfect addition to any garden, regardless of their purpose.
4. Lay some garden steps
Forklift tyres are just the right depth and diameter to be used as garden steps. If you’ve got limited space to play with but are wanting to make your garden more functional, then forklift tyres can be used as steps either up or down into your garden. They’re not too steep or too wide, so they’ll take up minimal space whilst still offering full functionality and practicality. Don’t hesitate to use your forklift tyres as garden steps rather than send them to landfill.
5. Turn them into rubber doormats
There are a number of different firms in the UK that you can send old rubber forklift tyres to where they’ll break them down and reform them into something that’s considered to be more useful. Whether you’re wanting a new rubber doormat for guests to wipe their feet on or want to gift your employees with brand new mouse mats to accompany their other computing accessories, you’ll be able to turn your forklift tyres into something that is functional, rather than send them to landfill.
6. Use them as bins
As a hollow object with strong and sturdy surroundings, old forklift tyres can be used to house waste. From sandwich boxes and sweet wrappers to apple cores and chewing gum, take your old forklift tyres and dot them around your premises so they can be used as small waste bins. Not only will this encourage you to empty them more often, but it also means that you aren’t adding to the landfill problem by sending your rubber forklift tyres there as well.
7. Donate them to playgrounds & schools
If you’re not looking to bring them home and repurpose them yourself, then there will be multiple community projects and schools that would be pleased to take the forklift tyres you don’t want. They’ll be sure to repurpose them in a way that will provide the community with useful resources and equipment. From playground equipment to seating, local projects will think of imaginative ways of reusing your forklift tyres so that they don’t end up in landfill.
8. Utilise them as outdoor planters or raised flower beds
Forklift tyres aren’t as large or as deep as lorry or car tyres. Therefore, they make the perfect container for a wealth of different plants. Not only will they look incredible, once all of the plants start growing and spilling out of the top, but it’s also a really cost-effective way of adding colour and plantlife to your garden without hitting expensive garden centres for ceramic containers.
If you’re worried about frost and ice – don’t. Rubber is waterproof and freezeproof, so you will never have to worry about your new outdoor planter becoming cracked or damaged. Repurpose your old forklift tyres by putting them in the garden and, literally, giving them new life.
9. Transform them into Christmas wreaths
Old forklift tyres are completely round and hollow. Regardless of the type of tyre they are, whether they’re 100% rubber or not, you’ll be able to turn your old forklift tyre into a Christmas wreath. You can even do this if your forklift tyre has suffered a puncture or a blow out. You’ll be able to repair the damage if you’re using it as a Christmas wreath.
Do this however you deem necessary because, by the end result, the patching-up work you’ve done will not be visible. In addition, no weight is being applied to it either, making it the perfect way to reuse a tyre that has been damaged. Simply wrap the tyre in twine or string and then attach your festive aspects to it. From sprigs of holly to cinnamon sticks, you’ll be sure to find foliage and other decorative materials that will suit the season.
10. Repurpose it as a dog bed
This will likely depend on both the size of the tyre you have and the size of the dog you have. Unless you have a dog that’s small enough to curl up in an old forklift tyre, it would be ideal for a cat or even a rabbit looking for a new and comfortable bed to lay in. Don’t just toss it into their space, however. Take the tyre and add padding and decorate materials to it to ensure it’s as comfortable as possible for your furry friend.
Whether you cover it in fabric that’s adorned with pink hearts or implement blue padding that’s decorated with dog bones, the world is your oyster when it comes to creating a brand new, comfortable bed for your pet. No matter if they’re a small dog, a cat, a rabbit or a guinea pig, you’ll be able to give them something firm-yet-cosy to sleep in. Not to mention, you’re preventing a forklift tyre from ending up in landfill, therefore reducing your carbon footprint in the process.
Multy Lift has over three decades’ experience in the material handling industry. We are pleased to have provided customers throughout the UK with high-quality warehouse equipment, including forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers and more, in that time. For those on a budget, we also have used warehouse equipment on offer, all of which have been carefully refurbished by our dedicated engineers. For further information about how we can help you today, get in touch with a member of our professional, friendly team – we’re always happy to hear from you.
