Why Is It So Hard to Recycle Shoes?

Dutch company Fast Feet Grinded employs unconventional methods to recycle 2,500 shoes per hour. But companies like Fast Feet Grinded are few and far between in this sector.

‍

Globally, we produce 23 billion pairs of shoes annually. Alarmingly, 22 billion of these end up in landfills. Once discarded, these shoes can take anywhere from 25 to 1,000 years to biodegrade.

‍

So why aren't more companies recycling shoes? And why aren’t shoes easier to recycle?

‍

Why Is It Hard to Recycle Shoes?

‍

Shoes are surprisingly complex. A single shoe can contain over 40 different components, from plastic and rubber soles to nylon laces and metal grommets. Each brand uses these materials in varying proportions and sizes. When you consider all the different shoe styles available, the complexity multiplies, creating a significant challenge for recycling.

‍

These various materials make it difficult to recycle shoes in batches. Imagine trying to build a machine that can spot all these different materials and then take them apart, piece by piece.

‍

On top of that, shoemakers use super strong glue to hold everything together. Even if we manage to separate all the parts, the glue sticks around, contaminating everything.

‍

If a small company like Fast Feet Grinded can find a solution, it shouldn't be too challenging for industry giants such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, and Converse to do the same. These brands need to consider a shoe's end-of-life during design and manufacturing. But as consumers, we also play a vital role in extending the lifespan of our footwear.

‍

{{cta-join2}}

‍

How Can You Recycle Your Shoes?

‍

As a consumer, you can extend the lifespan of your shoes, keeping footwear out of landfills and reducing the demand for new production. Try upcycling your old shoes into new items using creative ideas from platforms like Pinterest. Before tossing out worn-out pairs, consider visiting a cobbler for repairs. Alternatively, donate them to Soles4Souls, which gives gently used shoes a new life in developing countries, or offer them on the Buy Nothing Group.

‍

If it’s time for shoe recycling, here’s how you can do that:

‍

• Recycle with GotSneakers: Get electronic cash to recycle old sneakers.
• Use recycling bins: Drop off shoes at dedicated bins from American Textile Recycling Service or Green City Recycler.
• Try Terracycle: Use their zero-waste shoe box for a shared recycling option.
• Utilize brand programs: Recycle shoes through Nike or Timberland's sustainable initiatives.

‍