In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are pleased to feature Velorim Group as our Renewable Energy Company of the Month.
As cycling continues to surge in popularity across the UK, an often-overlooked environmental challenge is growing with it: the thousands of tonnes of tyres and inner tubes discarded every year. Until recently, the vast majority of this waste was destined for landfill. That’s where Velorim comes in – a company at the forefront of transforming cycling into a truly circular industry.
Founded in 2018 by a group of cycling enthusiasts and sustainability advocates, Velorim emerged from a simple but urgent realisation: while cycling is one of the greenest ways to travel, the industry had a blind spot when it came to waste. The founders saw an opportunity to close the loop, to ensure that every part of a bike’s life cycle could be as environmentally responsible as the ride itself.
“We wanted to make it easy for cyclists and retailers to do the right thing,” says Russ Taylor, Director. “By providing a practical, national recycling solution, we’re helping to make cycling one of the UK’s most sustainable industries.”
Headquartered in Staffordshire, Velorim has built a rapidly expanding network of collection partners – from bike shops and workshop mechanics to local authorities – making tyre and tube recycling accessible to cyclists across the UK. Riders can simply drop off their worn-out equipment at a local collection point, where it is gathered and sent to Velorim’s specialist facilities for responsible processing. This nationwide system not only keeps thousands of tonnes of waste out of landfill, but also empowers cycling businesses to play a direct role in driving environmental progress.
Velorim’s mission is simple but powerful: to collect, process, and recycle used bicycle tyres and inner tubes, turning them into valuable secondary materials. Backed by ongoing research and strategic partnerships, the company has developed innovative ways to repurpose recovered rubber and textiles into new products — from durable road surfacing to high-performance sports infrastructure.
Russ explained, “Our goal is zero waste! Everything we collect is either recycled or repurposed, ensuring that nothing ends up in landfill. This commitment to innovation has positioned Velorim as a UK industry leader and a pioneer in sustainable waste management for the cycling sector.”
However, what firmly sets Velorim apart is the accessibility and transparency of its system. Retailers can easily participate through a subscription-based collection model, while end users benefit from the knowledge that their old tyres are being handled responsibly. Velorim’s robust logistics network ensures materials are collected efficiently, tracked digitally, and processed sustainably, a competitive edge rooted in practicality and purpose.
Since its launch, Velorim has rapidly evolved from an ambitious start-up into a key force driving sustainability within the cycling industry. By working closely with retailers, local authorities, and innovative manufacturers, the company has laid the groundwork for a circular system that keeps valuable materials in use and waste out of the environment.
In 2023, Velorim celebrated the collection of its 150,000th tyre and 150,000th inner tube – a testament to its expanding influence. The company has also launched new R&D initiatives exploring how recovered materials can be integrated into wider manufacturing sectors, supporting the UK’s broader circular economy goals. From partnerships with councils to collaborations with sustainability-driven brands, Velorim continues to demonstrate what responsible business can look like in action.
Velorim’s customer base spans independent bike shops, national retailers, local authorities, and cycling event organisers, but at its heart, the company serves the entire cycling community. Every cyclist who chooses to recycle through Velorim plays a part in building a cleaner, more sustainable future for the sport.
At its heart, Velorim exists to redefine what sustainable cycling can look like. Every initiative, from tyre collection to innovative recycling, is guided by a clear purpose: to minimise environmental impact while empowering riders and businesses to take meaningful action.
Underpinning everything is a simple philosophy: ‘Riding Sustainably.’ It’s more than a tagline; it’s a call to action for the entire industry. By making sustainability easy, visible, and measurable, Velorim is helping cycling live up to its green promise.
Velorim’s story is one of innovation, collaboration, and accountability, qualities that resonate deeply in a world increasingly focused on sustainable progress. By tackling an overlooked aspect of cycling’s footprint, the company is not only reducing waste but redefining what responsible industry leadership looks like.
Building on its success, Velorim is setting its sights even higher. With innovative recycling processes and a proven network of partners, the company is turning bold ideas into tangible action, aiming to reshape how the cycling industry approaches waste, reuse, and sustainability.
“With capacity expansion plans underway and growing international interest, Velorim’s ambitions are bold. We aim to make cycling the UK’s first truly circular transport sector, one where every component, from tyres to frames, can be reused or recycled. Sustainability is not just part of our business; it is our business, and we’re proving that with the right approach, waste can become opportunity,” said Russ.
For more information, please see below:
www.velorim-group.com
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/velorim
Instagram: @velorimuk
YouTube: @velorimlimited2853
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082993737676
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@velorim_group_ltd