The 33-year-old former lorry driver from Durian Tunggal, Melaka never expected that what began as a pastime – turning used tyres into flower pots – would turn into a full-time business.
Today, the owner of Deko Tayar Melaka produces more than 30 different items including signboards, chairs, tables, and various animal shapes such as storks, turtles and frogs, utilising nearly 1,000 used tyres monthly to fulfil orders from throughout peninsular Malaysia.
“At first, I made flower pots for home decoration. Then my wife suggested making them prettier and promoting them on Facebook. Unexpectedly, people started asking to buy them, and the number of customers has grown until today,” he told Bernama.
His products are commonly used for garden and home landscaping, creative signage, and school decor, as well as for community projects that focus on sustainability.
To this day, his flower pots remain the bestseller: Akhmal can complete
“I draw inspiration from various sources, such as customers’ suggestions or children’s toys. I also learnt how to weld, which helps a lot with design and product structure,” he said.
Asked about the source of his tyes, he explained he previously obtained them from tyre shops, but many would be too damaged or unsafe to be reused. “So now, I only buy used tyres that are still in good condition, which cost RM2.50 to RM5 depending on the size.”
Operating from a workshop near his home, every tyre is washed, cut, and shaped according to design before being assembled using screws and painted with bright, eye-catching colours.
The final products are then detailed with patterns, writing, or even cute eyes, before being sprayed with a protective finish to withstand weather conditions.
Assisted by two workers, Akhmal noted that his products can last over five years thanks to the durable natural rubber, which does not rot easily even when exposed to rain and heat.
The father of two, who earns between RM7,000 and RM8,000 monthly, views his work as more than just a business: he is also contributing to environmental conservation by upcycling the tyres, which are hard to dispose of conventionally.
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