Nike's Reuse a Shoe program, running since , recycles worn out sneakers by any brand. They've processed 33 million pairs of shoes to date. After separating the shoes into leather, foam, plastic and rubber, the pieces are ground down and reused as surfacing for playgrounds, track tops, carpet padding and even new Nike gear, like maybe the soles of your Air Jordans. You can get in on the action by dropping your shoes at participating Nike and Converse Factory stores here's a list of them.
You can also take beat-up shoes by any brand to Columbia stores and participating Asics stores here's a list. These in-store take back programs are run by I:CO , a global waste handler whose parent company opened the world's first industrial-scale shoe recycling facility in , which is working to find solutions for any kind of shoe waste, according to a company rep via email.
Recently I:CO partnered with Adidas to turn bits of rubber from running shoes into rugs, for example. Another option is to organize a shoe drive and send what you collect to Terracycle , a New Jersey-based recycler that finds buyers for leather shoe bits that can to be turned into flooring and furniture, while plastic becomes containers and soundproofing materials, among other uses, says Ernel Simpson, VP of research and development.
But you'll have to pay for it. Conceptually it's a new way of looking at things," explains Dharan Kirupanathan, technology lead behind Adidas's Futurecraft. Loop , an allegedly "infinitely recyclable" running shoe made of a single material that's currently in its pilot phase.
And I:CO is planning to expand its footwear recycling options to more stores and brands in Before you act on any of the above, take a second look at the shoes in question. Chances are that your shoes aren't actually on death's door and could be brought back to life. In fact, there's almost no such thing as a worn-out shoe in the hands of a good cobbler.
Many cobblers will take on unusual repairs, like replacing the cork on Birkenstocks, shampooing and reconditioning Uggs and rejuvenating your sneakers, too. Repairing truly worn-out shoes is more expensive, he adds, so next time, don't wait so long. Jersey-based SoleFresh has a mail-in option for sneakers. If you've bought a pair of high-end shoes like Red Wing , check if the company provides in-house repairs. You can also try your hand at some DIY shoe recovery at home.
Shoe adhesives like Shoe-Fix , Barge and Shoe Goo are cheap and effective and can be used to plug holes in those paper-thin soles, reattach a flopping sole and — my favorite trick — build up a worn-down heel so you're not walking at a slant.
Luckily, the shoe industry is working on new ways to help curb this cycle of waste — and make it simpler to part with shoes without all the guilt. From upstarts like Veja and Everlane to industry stalwarts like Adidas , Nike , New Balance , Converse and Saucony , more footwear companies are moving towards non-toxic, biodegradable and recycled components.
At the end of the day, there's no magic bullet solution to getting rid of old shoes. Like everything else to do with sustainability, it's complicated and requires tradeoffs. This is a significant step forward, but there is still a long way to go for shoe recycling. The best answer is to reduce first, reuse second and then recycle. What can you do? Firstly, buy fewer shoes. Take a look in the depths of your cupboard and see if you really need a new pair.
Look after the ones you have. Check out our tips above for taking better care of your shoes. If you need to buy a new pair, then visit your local charity shop. You might be surprised by what you find. Buy recycled shoes or buy ones that are simple in design, have natural materials, and are built to last.
I hope our tips have helped you and your shoes have a long, meaningful relationship. Finally, be sure to recycle your old shoes. You can use our links above if you want to know what to do with old shoes. We all have a bunch of old keys lying around the house. They may be from our last home, an old workplace, or a lock. How does Recycling Help The Environment. What does biodegradable mean?
Here, we give you the facts, plus explain what it means for the environment and understand how to shop and recycle. What is America Recycles Day all about? Learn the benefits of recycling and how it helps our environment.
Find great tips and get involved. Plus receive regular tips on recycling and updates on great recycled products. We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more. What to Do With Old Shoes. Share with your friends on:. Share on facebook. Share on pinterest. Share on twitter. Share on linkedin. Planet Aid will also accept shoes in any condition and recycle any which cannot be used. Read on to learn more about what to do with old shoes and how to help out! Quick Navigation.
In , over 20 billion pairs of shoes were produced worldwide. Almost half of the footwear exported worldwide is made from rubber or plastic. In an average of 5. It can take up to years for shoes to decompose fully. Each year Australians buy more than 25 million pairs of new sports shoes.
Stylish Shoes Made From Recycled Plastic There are plenty of shoes made from recycled plastic rather than virgin plastics. Take a look at our favourites here.
Read More. What Are Shoes Made From. They mainly use: leather natural fibers like cotton and wool synthetic textiles like polyester and nylon rubber foam plastics There are two main parts of a shoe, the upper and the sole. Subscribe and get your free plastic recycling guide! We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime. Built with ConvertKit. Why Recycle Old Shoes. How to Recycle Your Old Shoes. So, what to do with your old shoes? There are two main options available: Donate them Recycle them If you plan to donate them to a local charity, be sure to check the condition.
United States. United Kingdom and Europe. Recycling Centers — most recycling centers in the UK will accept shoes. Australia and New Zealand. What Else Can You Do? There are many ways you can make sure your old running shoes or boots get as much life as possible, including: Clean them regularly. Dirt and grime can also degrade the materials if left. If you have leather, use a soft brush to remove dirt and grime, and regularly use a leather moisturizer.
If the stitching is coming loose, resew it or take it to a repair shop. They can even fix the sole if it needs gluing. You can recycle shoes or clothing from any brand, in any style, and in any condition through Asics , a major running shoe and activewear brand.
Dozens of Asics stores around the country have collection bins, in partnership with textile recycling company I:CO , which carefully sorts each donation and assesses if it should be donated or recycled.
The recycling geniuses at TerraCycle offer a Shoes and Footwear Zero Waste Box , which you can use to recycle pretty much any type of shoe in any condition, with the exception of ski boots and skates.
TerraCycle will reuse, upcycle, and recycle the shoes, making sure they stay far away from landfills. A post shared by Teva teva. Teva unleashed a brand new recycling program in tandem with waste management company, TerraCycle, called TevaForever.
The program, launched in April , gives customers the opportunity to give worn Tevas a second life by letting them mail in retired sandals at no additional cost. Upon being sent back to Teva, the old shoes are properly cleaned, broken down, and processed into anything from playgrounds, to sports fields, and track ground covers.
In August , shoe brand Timberland will launch a take-back program, in partnership with ReCircled. Customers can drop off any Timberland shoes — or other Timberland products — at any Timberland store. The company will then either repair the products and resell them, or recycle them into new items.
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