Use of tree sap in rubber products began with the Indians of Central and South America. Children played with bouncy balls made from dried sap. The balls, when pulled, would stretch out. When released, they would go back into shape. The trees grew well in climates where rainfall was heavy and evenly distributed, there were only light winds and temperatures ranged from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Explorers took seeds from these Air Jordan 9s trees to other countries. Today, Malaysia, Indonesia and Air Jordan 1 Retro Thailand produce most of the world commercial rubber.

Workers filter the sap to remove debris. Air Jordan Future They preserve the filtered liquid with ammonia before exporting it for processing. At other times, the rubber tappers pour the filtered latex into Air Jordan 1s long rectangular forms and mix it with water and acid. After several hours, when the latex has thickened, it is fed through heated rollers to remove excess water and acid. The latex then is shredded and heated in large ovens for a few minutes. When it is removed, it is compressed into blocks. These blocks usually are exported to manufacturing companies to be made into tires, balloons, tubing, rubber bands and other products.

When the rubber product no longer is useful, it can be recycled to make new products. In developing countries, workers dismantle tires by removing the rubber tread or sidewalls from the steel bands. The rubber is used to make sandals and other items. A recycling process whereby the old rubber goes through a grinder Nike Air Foamposite One and is treated with acid to reclaim the latex sometimes is used but is very costly. Since 2000, patents have been issued for other processes that are more efficient in recovering the various elements of a tire.