Innovation

Cyclesmith Halifax is a company that has met multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by creating a way to recycle used bicycle tires and tubes. Their ability to promote bicycling is a way of fulfilling SDG #3: Good Health and Well-being. This is further achieved by understanding the amount of air pollutants they alter by preventing the burning of rubber waste. Furthermore, Cyclesmith is achieving marginal economic gains by providing decent work. The ability to create a benefit for all through this innovation leads to meeting SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Moreover, it can be considered to ensure sustainable consumption, as well as combat factors of climate change. In doing so, their innovation can also meet the criteria for SDG #12: Responsible Consumption and Production, as well as SDG #13: Climate Action.

Before beginning this innovation, the old tires and tubes had otherwise been sent to the waste bin, and then the landfill. Using connections with another local recycling company, Cyclesmith Halifax owner, Andrew Feenstra, was able to convert the used rubber into rubber pellets. These pellets were then effectively used in the Equestrian industry. Feenstra explained, “Without pellets, the dirt in the stable becomes compact and solid, like concrete, and causes irritation to the horse.” This became the use for Cyclesmith Halifax’s recycled bicycle tires.

By reusing the tires for other purposes, they are able to avoid the harmful alternatives of wasting or burning the rubber. It is important to avoid these alternatives because burning otherwise causes black fumes containing harmful pollutants to enter the atmosphere. Due to this creative innovation, the air we breathe will be slightly less polluted with each recycled tire and tube, thus altering the rate of climate change on our planet.

Inspiration

Andrew Feenstra worked in a bicycle shop as a young boy, then went on to attend Saint Mary’s University, where he is a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce program. Upon graduation, he worked briefly in Accounting and Human Resources before returning to the bicycle industry. Since then, his passion of bicycles has led him to participate in recycling from his Halifax location out of his own goodwill. When asked about his inspiration to do so, he humbly explained,

“It is important to do something simply because it is the right thing to do. We, as Nova Scotians, tend to make a habit out of doing the right thing. It is our culture, and everyone can begin to see that especially because of the pandemic.”

By recycling all of these tires Cyclesmith is able reduce the amount of trash entering the landfill, while also reducing the carbon footprint. As a society that is developing around the concept of sustainability and specific purpose, the younger generation will be drawn into sharing these same beliefs. As a result, Cyclesmith has the potential to instill change into generations of youth, as they motivate them to seek their purpose, and “do the right thing.”

Overall impact

Bikes are such a sustainable item for the planet because of their ability to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions in the air, as well as promote physical activity. Originally, the impact of this initiative went beyond recycling. It was a way to promote the local economy and create opportunity for other local businesses.

While Cyclesmith Halifax have since lost their local recycling partner, they have gained other partners. Cyclesmith and the local Government are now tackling this problem together, using a recycling partner based in New Brunswick, Canada. While Andrew Feenstra admits that he is thrilled to have the government on board, he enjoyed the added benefits of providing opportunity to local businesses that were previously made possible. Nonetheless, the ever so humble shop owner is proud of the impact that his innovation has been able to make.

Business benefit

While there is no ground-breaking financial gain to be had from recycling, Cyclesmith Halifax is still able to find added benefits to their innovation. By recycling their used tires and tubes, the company is able to avoid sending their products to the landfill. Consequently, these actions are positively reinforced by avoiding the tipping fees that come with sending waste to the landfill. In doing so, the company is able to save money that they would otherwise spend on sending between 3500-4000 tires and tubes to the landfill each year. Using this saved capital, they are able to further invest in their sustainability goals and seek future innovation ideas.

Social and environmental benefit

While it is common knowledge that a bicycle is an environmentally friendly form of transportation, Andrew Feenstra’s belief goes beyond the face value of the item. He explained his passion behind the effectiveness of bicycles, stating,

“[Bicycles] are such sustainable items. I think they could solve so many issues worldwide.”

In what was referred to as the “bike boom”, Mr. Feenstra explained that COVID-19 has increased the amount of bicycles per capita in countries all over the world. Understanding that enjoying a bike ride can be a rare form of freedom during the pandemic, it is a perfect combination of sustainability and physical activity.

At face value, one could say that Cyclesmith is simply offering a formidable means to an end for a bicycle. However, this is not the case. Before they offer the recycling of the used tires, the bicycles they sell have offered the opportunity to live a healthier and happier life. Bicycles allow for people to exercise, improve their health and well-being, while capturing memories of the vast terrain available for exploration. These experiences are what make people wish to continue biking, thus causing more people to be active, and consequently resulting in more opportunity to recycle and benefit other industries. They truly make an experience that comes full circle, as it is desirable and enjoyable for everyone.

Bicycles can be found even more environmentally friendly, as they are made from recyclable metal. That being said, the rubber tires and tubes are the only elements that are not sustainable. Being able to find a form of sustainability for these products essential creates a fully sustainable form of transportation that also provides health benefits. Therefore, with this innovation, Andrew Feenstra has developed a brilliant sustainability cycle in which there is no waste.

Interview

Andrew Feenstra, Owner