FREEE Recycle turns used-tyres into handbag, laptop bags to tackle waste

FREEE Recycle, a recycling industry in Nigeria has unveiled plans to tackle the tyre waste crisis with its latest products, the ÀJÀLÁ Tote and laptop bags, crafted from 80 percent recycled materials, converted into functional fashion.

Ifedolapo Runsewe, founder of FREEE Recycle, speaking at the unveiling of the product said the company believe waste should not be the end of a product but the start of something new.

“At FREEE Recycle, we believe waste doesn’t have to be the end of the road; it can be the start of something new.

“The ÀJÀLÁ bags prove that recycling can be both practical and stylish. We are giving old tyres a second life, tackling Nigeria’s waste problem and supporting a cleaner planet,” Runsewe said.

ÀJÀLÁ Tote, and laptop bags are durable, stylish accessories made majorly from recycled materials, turning what was once waste into functional fashion.

According to the founder, the product was named after the Yoruba word for “traveller”, “the ÀJÀLÁ bags symbolises movement, transformation, and sustainability.

“These bags are designed for people who value both function and fashion. Weather-resistant and long-lasting, they offer a sustainable alternative to traditional bags without compromising on style or durability.”

The FREEE Recycle founder further disclosed that the launch of the ÀJÀLÁ bags is part of the company’s larger commitment to sustainable waste management.

“Globally, tyre waste contributes to ocean pollution, with tyres breaking down into harmful microplastics. FREEE Recycle is helping to mitigate these environmental impacts by recycling tyres into high-quality products,” Runsewe said.

In Nigeria, the tyre waste crisis mirrors this global challenge. An estimated 113,000 tons of waste tyres were generated in 2017 alone, with limited recycling solutions in place.

This growing problem contributes to pollution, poses health risks, and clogs landfills. However, innovative solutions are emerging, with companies such as FREEE Recycle leading the charge.

In countries such as the United States and the Netherlands, smart recycling policies have transformed how tyre waste is managed. In 2003, the U.S. found markets for 80.4 percent of its scrap tyres, using them for fuel, civil engineering projects, and ground rubber products.

She explained that FREEE Recycle is working to bring similar levels of innovation and efficiency to Nigeria.

“The company aims to recycle over five million tyres annually, significantly reducing pollution and setting a new standard for sustainable manufacturing in Africa.

“Beyond bags, recycled tyres can be repurposed into products like pyrolysis oil, rubber-modified asphalt, and even drinking water tanks, offering diverse applications that benefit both the economy and the environment,” she said.

Runsewe said the ÀJÀLÁ bags represent for consumers, an opportunity to make eco-friendly choices without sacrificing quality or design.

“In a world increasingly aware of environmental issues, products like these allow individuals to align their purchasing decisions with their values,” she noted.

As Nigeria grapples with its waste management challenges, solutions like FREEE Recycle’s ÀJÀLÁ bags offer a glimmer of hope. They show that with creativity and commitment, even the most persistent environmental problems can be transformed into opportunities for positive change.

Every year, over 280 million tyres reach the end of their useful life globally, with only a fraction, around 30 million, being rethreaded or reused.

The remaining 250 million scrap tyres often end up in landfills or illegal dumpsites, contributing significantly to environmental pollution.

Tyre waste is not only an eyesore but also a long-term ecological hazard, taking hundreds of years to decompose and releasing harmful microplastics into oceans and ecosystems.