At one local tire shop, customers aren't just driving off with new treads - they're rolling away with some pretty cool furniture.  Tire technicians are putting sustainability in the driver’s seat, by repurposing worn tires into treasures.

Sustainability can start in simple and small spaces, like at one local tire shop where its technicians are turning tires into treasures.

At Goodyear Tire Center in Upper Tumon, most customers come in to get their tires rotated. But some are leaving with something far more unique.  Roby Kete said, "We sold like six chairs already last month, with David Joseph adding, "I think we made like $600 out of it."

Kete, a shop manager, and tire technician Joseph shared what can happen when someone looks at something old and sees something new. "What do they say? A man’s trash is another man’s treasure," said Joseph.

Kete has been working at the shop for more than 20 years and joseph for some 10 years.  They’ve seen their fair share of old tires destined for the dump.  It’s why in their free time, the duo repurpose rubber into chairs, tables and benches– all right outside their garage bay.  They’re entirely self-taught - no blueprint, just a lot of elbow grease and imagination. 

Joseph said, "We all started from YouTube. We watched it on the phone and that’s how we built it."

Each piece they build helps keep tires out of the landfill and puts sustainability in the driver's seat. "We help keep our island clean. At least we don’t throw it around somewhere. We make something out of it to keep the island clean," said Joseph.

Tires can take hundreds of years to decompose... if at all. Joseph encourages others to practice sustainability and help keep our island clean, saying, "If you want a chair, you can order it here or come see us. We will make one for you. And not only that, keep the island clean. Do not throw it around. Make something out of it!"