This may sound a little..I don't know...elitist or whatever (I'm sure you all will come up with a better word) but I never patch tubes other than it is my second flat on a ride and I need to get home.

My team is sponsored by Continental (www.teamfujitaiwan.com) so we get tubes by the box so cost isn't an issue.

As far as recycling goes, here is Asia, things work a little bit differently. A tube has so many applications beyond holding air. If I wanted to lash a stack of cardboard, or bamboo to the back of my trike, or my scooter, a tube would come in handy. If I want to hold down the tarp that I have thrown over whatever it is I have in the back of my truck, a tube comes in handy. If I want to do any number of other things that requires something strong and elastic, a tube comes in handy. What I usually do after I flat, is stuff the tube in my jersey pocket and when I pass through a village on my way somewhere, I toss it on the ground near a large garbage can by the side of the road. I know this thing is a useful item that will recovered by someones grama before I am even home.