Shoes
Why recycle shoes
95% of the shoes we make end up in landfills. That's over 20 billion pairs every year. Each pair of shoes will release green house gases the equivalent of which can light a 100 watt bulb for full week.
And at the same time 300 million children globally have never owned a pair of shoes! This just doesn'r add up. This is an equation we have to be able to balance.
"What is the point of any individual action? What dent will it make?" One might conclude it is so insignificant, that it is not worth the effort. But the outcome of collective inaction is not in doubt. Somewhat like voting in a democracy.
How to recycle shoes
Our extended definition of "Recycle" includes the idea of keeping clothes in circulation longer, through repair, reuse, donation or reselling. Recycling shoes is inefficient and inadequate even in the most conducive of circumstances. There are over 40 different materials in most shoes that need to be separated for effective recycling. Instead, extending the life of our shoes is as good as or better than recycling, at least in the short term. It keeps them from landfills for longer and also allows time for the recycling ecosystem to get their act together.
Make money by reselling your gently used clothes, donate to those who desperately need them, prevent them from ending up in landfills.
Check out the curated list of options here. For more options see out Directory links below. Recycling options are rapidly evolving. Revisit us to the stay in touch with the latest.
Shoes By The Numbers
BY THE NUMBERS
...
7
Pairs of shoes bought on average each year by an individual American
300 million
Number of children around the world who have never owned a shoe (USAID data)
24 billion
Pairs of shoes manufactured every year
95%
Percentage of shoes that end up in landfills.
1000 years
Time takes for PVC & EVA that make up 35% of most shoes to decompose
1.4%
Total green house gas contribution from the shoe manufacturing process alone.
40
Number of different material footware could contain. If material cannot be separated they cannot be recycled.
7 days
Days a 100 watt light bulb can be lit from the CO2 your sneakers can generate
Ready?
Regardless how to choose to sell your shoes, ensure they are clean and as well presented as you can make them.
Local initiatives and neighborhood donation drives might be an effective and convenient way of donating your shoes. The list here gives you some control over the cause you want to support. Several names under the Returns listing on this page also end up donating what you send to them. We have removed several interesting listings that shut down during Covid.
If you opt for manufacturer take back programs, there is some level of greenwashing, but these and other companies are at least making the right moves. Most of them over produce, no declared plans of what they do to shoes taken back and also not everything qualifies for takeback. Separating material that goes into shoes is a complex process.
The Shoe Service Institute of America says a good pair of men's shoes can be resoled seven to the times and can last up to thirty years, while women's shoes can be resoled three to five times. Many cobblers will take on unusual repairs, like replacing the cork Birkenstocks, shampooing and reconditioning Uggs and rejuvenating your sneakers, too.
Click on the company logos to get to their websites
Nike
Reuse-A-Shoe Program. Accepts all brands. Drop off at a participating store.
No payout.
Timberland
Pack gently-used footwear, clothing and accessories of any brand. Mail using free UPS shipping label.
10% off a future purchase.
Tradesy
Online peer-to-peer resale marketplace for buying and selling women's fashion. Free shipping kit. Plus, they process returns and pay for shipping so you don't have to.
Earn up to 80% when your item sells.
The Northface
Their “Clothes the Loop” program accepts gently used clothing and footwear at The North Face Retail and Outlet Stores. Your recycled items are distributed by their non-profit partner, Soles4Souls.
$10 reward toward your next purchase of $100 or more at The North Face.
eBay
One stop shop auction center for almost anything, including shoes. Vast market, therefore more competitive. No listing fee for up to 200 items per month.
88-98% of the final selling price.
Offerup
Marketplace for almost anything, including shoes. Easy to list and use.
Gotsneakers?
Sneaker recycling programs for individual sellers and organizations of all types and sizes. Order clean out bag and mailing labels.
Upto $7 for sneakers in excellent condition.
Depop
“The home of circular fashion”. Clothes, shoes and other household items as well. Designed for the mobile phones and tablets.
90% of final selling price, minus small paypal fee.
Craigslist
Marketplace for almost anything, including shoes, with the same drawback, meeting a stranger to exchange goods and money, the hassle of taking pictures, and making the listing for each item, etc.
All proceeds are yours.
- 5Page 3