Maker Activity: ReTies
MATERIALS: Bicycle inner tube rubber, scissors, hole puncher
ReTies are flexible multiuse ties that are repurposed from waste bicycle inner tubes. ReTies are Inner tubes cut into strips of various lengths and widths for use in plant and tree support, for creating slip-on sneakers, for reusable ribbon in gift wrapping, and for many other things. The flexible inner tube rubber makes for easy tying and loads of possibilities.
Before prepping tubes, print out ReTies Activity Sheets (PDF) to see what is needed
When prepping tubes, notice the existing lines that go along the length of the tube
With scissors, cut strips from the bike tubes along the length of the tube using these lines as guides
Cut strips of different widths and lengths (see ReTies Activity Sheets for details)
Cut the ends at an angle to be more decorative
Procedure:
• Link to ReTies Activity Sheets (pdf)
Hand out “When the Rubber Leaves the Road—Don’t Toss That Tube!” and read aloud. For classrooms with older children, have them read it silently to themselves.
After they have finished reading it, together list the phases in the product lifecycle.
Ask them why might rubber not disappear as quickly as other types of trash, like food or paper.
Tell students that “Microplastics” are the breaking up of synthetic materials, like plastic and rubber, into smaller and smaller pieces and because they are not natural and do not biodegrade we want to avoid this.