Skateboarding is an exciting and adrenaline-filled activity that is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional skater, your skateboard’s wheels are one of the most critical components. They provide the smoothness and speed that you need to complete your tricks and ride safely.
However, skateboard wheels eventually wear out, and you’ll need to replace them. This is where the challenge of what to do with your old skateboard wheels comes in. You can’t simply throw them away as it’s not environmentally friendly.
In this article, we’ll explore the various options for what you can do with your old skateboard wheels.
Option 1: Reuse Them
The first and most straightforward option is to reuse your old skateboard wheels. If your wheels are still in good condition, you can keep them as spares or use them on another skateboard. If they’re not in the best shape, you can still use them for various purposes around your home.
Here are some ideas for how to reuse old skateboard wheels:
Use them as door stoppers: If you have a door that won’t stay open, you can use an old skateboard wheel as a door stopper. Simply place the wheel behind the door, and it will hold it open.
Create a table or shelf: You can use old skateboard wheels as the legs of a table or shelf. The wheels make it easy to move the table or shelf around, and they’re visually appealing.
Use them as plant holders: If you have a green thumb, you can use old skateboard wheels as holders for your plants. They’re a unique and stylish way to display your plants.
Make a unique wall art: You can hang old skateboard wheels on your wall to create a unique piece of art. You can hang them individually or arrange them in a pattern to make a more significant statement.
Option 2: Recycle Them
The second option is to recycle your old skateboard wheels. This is an environmentally friendly choice that ensures that the materials in your wheels are used again instead of going to waste.
Most skateboard wheels are made of polyurethane, which is recyclable. You can find a recycling center near you that accepts polyurethane by searching online or contacting your local recycling program.
When recycling your old skateboard wheels, make sure to remove any metal parts, such as bearings or axles. These metal parts should be recycled separately, as they can’t be mixed with polyurethane.
Option 3: Upcycle Them
The final option is to upcycle your old skateboard wheels. Upcycling is the process of turning waste materials into new and useful products. This option is great if you have a creative side and enjoy making things.
Here are some ideas for upcycling old skateboard wheels:
- Jewelry holder: Drill holes into the center of the wheels and use them as a unique and stylish way to hang your necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
- Planters: Fill the wheels with soil and plants to create quirky and low-maintenance indoor or outdoor planters.
- Wall art: Paint the wheels in bright colors or patterns and hang them on the wall to create a bold and eye-catching piece of art.
- Lamp shade: Use the wheel as a base for a unique lamp shade by wrapping it in fabric or paper, or decorating it with beads or feathers.
- Clock: Drill a hole in the center of the wheel, attach a clock mechanism, and use the wheel as a unique and functional wall clock.
- Coasters: Cut the wheel into smaller pieces, sand down the edges and use them as durable and stylish coasters.
- Bookends: Fill the wheel with sand or stones and use them as sturdy and decorative bookends.
- Table leg: Attach the wheel to the base of a table or stool to create a quirky and functional piece of furniture.
- Mag wheel: Drill holes into the wheel and attach magnetic strips to create a funky and functional message board or memo holder.
- Trinket box: Decorate the wheel and add a hinge to the center to create a unique and functional trinket box for your desk or bedside table.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many creative and practical ways to reuse old skateboard wheels. From creating unique home décor items to upcycling them into furniture, the possibilities are endless. Not only are you reducing waste, but you are also giving new life to something that may have otherwise ended up in a landfill. The next time you have old skateboard wheels lying around, consider these ideas and see where your creativity takes you!
