We know that evolving fashion trends always include shoes as a fashion staple. But we also have a problem with fast fashion, which makes shoes go in and out of style in a season or two. Have you ever thought about the shoes when any style goes out of fashion? The short answer is that over 300 million shoes are in the trash. In turn, it’s created a Shoe-dumping problem. So, the question is, where to recycle shoes? Well, let’s talk about that in this space.
Shoe dumping: A sobering reality.
Thankfully, there’s been a lot of discussion about climate change in recent years. Still, there’s an often-overlooked aspect of any person’s carbon footprint, and that point is shoes. When people throw shoes into the trash, any one of us is essentially harming the planet. Considering that 300 million shoes annually go into landfills, it’s a sobering thought. It doesn’t have to be the case. So, what can people do to address where to recycle shoes? As you can imagine, we have some thoughts about it.
Walking a mile in eco-friendly shoes.
We know that people want to be their best selves, and once learned, most people don’t want to be cavalier about shoe dumping. Fortunately, there are several ways to take a good step forward and avoid the idea that tossing shoes in the trash is the way to go. So, where do you begin on the journey? There are a few solid options to do, and it’s our experience that people just need to be informed of it. Here’s that chance.
1. Slow the roll on your fashion choices.
Fast fashion is all about cheap manufacturing so people can have the most choices. But here’s the question: is it necessary? Do we have to create countless pairs of jeans and scores of shoes to keep up with whatever’s trendy? Thankfully, we’ve gotten to a place that celebrates everyone’s individuality. As a result, there’s little need for fast fashion, and we really need to lean into the style of choices and how the wearer wears them (e.g., vintage). How can you limit the contribution to fast fashion? For one, opt for quality in slow fashion.
2. Explore local and artisan shoemakers.
Some people think of shoes as art. We do! Well, did you know that there are still artisanal shoemakers? Yes, it seems a bit old school, but there was a time when people went to a local shoemaker to get custom shoes. If you’ve ever done it, it’s lots of fun because you have footwear that fits like a glove. Now, the local cobbler seems to be a thing of the past. Well, you would be wrong. It’s just been brought into the 21st century. Platforms such as Shoe Zero and AliveShoes can give you the love of wearing only a few custom pairs—all the time!
3. Shoe drive fundraising.
We will talk about our favorite answer to where to recycle shoes. How about a shoe drive fundraiser in your community? Since we opened our doors over 10 years ago, we’ve had the chance to work with excellent partners, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Through the years, our thousands of partners have helped keep 32 million shoes (counting) in landfills. Moreover, our partners have gotten paid to repurpose shoes in their communities. So, that’s a great way to repurpose shoes in your community and get paid for a good cause.
4. Recycle with shoe brands.
Another approach to keep shoes out of the trash is to get them back to big brands so they can turn the material from shoes into new shoes. Giants like Nike, Asics, and others are increasingly creating shoe and sneaker recycling programs. Thankfully, these brands are making it a standard to offer recycling opportunities and methods to recycle their brands. Think of it like buying a computer or mobile phone and recycling it with the manufacturer. It’s the same approach to recycling, and we expect you’ll see more of these programs in the coming years.
5. DIY shoe upcycling.
Our final suggestion is to amp up your creativity! Doing arts and crafts is a great way to get your mind thinking in new ways—and it’s fun. So, think of some of the ways your shoes can become, well, something else. What could those things be? Well, you could make shoes into trendy flowerpots and planters. Love books? We do. Another fun thing to do with shoes is to weigh them with rocks (mainly books) and convert them into book ends for a bookcase. Go ahead and get creative and see what you can do!
Next time you’re about to toss a pair of shoes into the trash, stop. Don’t do it. There’s another choice and path. You can leave a positive and sustainable imprint on your community and the planet.
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