From Tyre Tubes to Timeless Products

How Nic &Nic gives discarded inner tubes a second life

At Nic&Nic, one of our core materials is the discarded tyre inner tube. What many people see as waste, we see as a strong, flexible and beautiful material with the potential to become something useful again.

Tyre inner tubes are often overlooked once they can no longer serve their original purpose. They may be thrown away, stored, burned or left to become part of the growing waste problem. Yet the material itself is durable, water-resistant and full of character.

This is where our work begins.

Nic &Nic collects discarded inner tubes and transforms them into handcrafted bags, accessories and corporate gifting products. Each product carries the texture, strength and history of the material, while giving it a completely new purpose.

Why tyre tubes?

Inner tubes are naturally strong and hard-wearing. They have already travelled, carried weight and endured pressure. Instead of allowing that material to go to waste, we clean it, cut it and redesign it into products that can continue being used in everyday life. The result is a product that is practical, durable and unique. No two pieces of tyre tube are exactly the same, which means each Nic & Nic item has its own natural markings and story. This makes the material ideal for products such as laptop sleeves, bags, pouches, wallets, travel items and accessories.

The wider tyre waste problem

Public data usually tracks waste tyres as a whole, rather than separating tyre casings from inner tubes. However, discarded inner tubes form part of the wider rubber waste problem. Globally, waste tyres are a major environmental challenge. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has reported that an estimated one billion tyres reach the end of their useful lives every year, while a 2022 review estimated around 30.9 million tonnes of end-of-life tyres worldwide in 2019.

In South Africa, research by TIPS estimates that around 10.9 million waste tyres enter the waste stream each year, equal to about 300,000 tonnes, with an estimated 900,000 tonnes already stockpiled.

When tyres and inner tubes are not properly managed, they can cause serious environmental and health risks. Stockpiled tyres can become fire hazards, and when they burn, they release harmful compounds including gases, heavy metals and oil. Tyre piles can also collect water, creating breeding spaces for mosquitoes and other pests.

For Nic & Nic, working with discarded inner tubes is a small but practical response to this bigger issue. We may not solve the entire tyre waste problem on our own, but every inner tube we reuse is one less piece of rubber waste left behind, dumped, forgotten or burned.

Our process

The process begins with sourcing discarded tyre inner tubes. Once received, the tubes are washed and prepared by hand. We then assess the material according to its size, condition, strength and usability.

From there, we cut the material into patterns and prepare the other components needed for each product. Depending on the design, the inner tube may be combined with lining, canvas, fabric panels, straps, zips, tags or hardware.

The products are then stitched, finished and quality checked by our team before being packed

and prepared for customers.

It is a hands-on process that turns waste into something functional, beautiful and long-lasting.

People. Planet. Profit. Our work with tyre tubes reflects the heart of our business: People. Planet. Profit.

For people, the process creates work, training and skills development within our rural community.

For the planet, it reduces waste by giving discarded inner tubes a second life. For profit, it allows us to create durable, locally made products that can be sold to individuals, retailers, corporates and international buyers, helping the business grow sustainably.

More than a recycled product

A Nic &Nic product is not simply made from recycled material. It is made from a material

that has been carefully chosen, cleaned, cut and reimagined by hand. The beauty of tyre tube lies in its imperfections. The marks, textures and small differences are part of the story. They remind us that the material had a life before becoming a bag, sleeve or accessory.

This is what makes our products meaningful.