MEL GIBSON TIRES OF ECO-LAWSUIT SETTLES UP

Things are rubber ducky for Mel Gibson ... we've learned he just settled a bitter lawsuit over recyclable tires.

Gibson was sued by a dude who claims -- at the behest of Mel --  he invested his life savings in a company called Green Rubber, which developed technology to devulcanize rubber so old tires could be recycled.

Nader Sherif claimed Mel promised the guy could sell his stock back to the company at any time and get his money back, and he further claimed Mel promised to personally write him a check if the Green Rubber refused.  Yes, you guessed it.  Sherif wanted his jack back, the company refused and Mel told him to pound sand.

Sources tell TMZ ... Mel paid Sherif something, but we don't know exactly how much.

2012 is starting out to be a very Goodyear for Mel.

MEL GIBSON AND WIFE OFFICIALLY DIVORCED

US actor, film director, producer and screenwriter Mel Gibson and wife Robyn Gibson are officially divorced. The couple ended their 31-year-old marriage by signing a divorce decree on Friday, December 23, 2011.

The couple had officially separated back on July 29, 2006 after Robyn made allegations that Mel Gibson was having an affair with another woman.

This followed the March 2009 release of photographs appearing to show him on a beach embracing Russian pianist Oksana Grigorieva. In the October the same year, she delivered a daughter, Lucia for the popular actor.

According to reports, the only change that will be made will be Robyn reverting to her maiden name – Moore. There is no prenup over the couple’s estimated NET worth $900M.

The couple have one daughter, six sons, and three grandchildren.