Where Can You Donate Old Shoes for Recycling?

It is common for people to dispose of used shoes because of a lack of an idea of where to send them. However, footwear can be made from components such as rubber, foam, textiles, leather, and plastics that can be recycled via various initiatives.

Those who wish to drop off their shoes for recycle footwear should look for a collection location that recycles shoes. The shoes can either be used again after being donated or collected for recycling by separating their components.

The magnitude of the problem of wastage explains why one needs to consider the above option. For instance, it is estimated that in 2018, about 13 million tons of clothes and footwear were produced in the US. Out of this, only 13% was recycled and 9.1 million tons were landfilled.

Why Should You Recycle Old Shoes?

Shoes are not constructed using only one material. A normal pair of sneakers might have a rubber outsole, cushioning foams, textile uppers and more. Such a mix creates shoes that are distinct from usual household materials like cardboard, tin or glass.

Throwing a shoe in a typical curbside recycling container could create problems, as most municipal recycling operations are not capable of dealing with entire shoes.

Another possibility exists through specialized footwear collections programs, and depending on how good the condition of the shoe is, they could be reused or used for material recovery.

The statistics provided by the EPA also make it clear that shoes make up only a fraction of textile waste. In 2018, about 17 million tons of textile waste entered U.S. municipal solid waste stream, and 11.3 million tons were put in landfill sites.

Recycling Gives Unwanted Footwear Another Option

However, before disposing of the old shoes, one needs to think whether the shoes can be:

• Used by someone else

• Donated via an appropriate shoe recycling program

• Recycled

• Recovered for material recovery

• Converted into secondary raw materials

• It all depends on the condition of the shoe and the recycling program guidelines.

  
  

Where Can You Find Shoe Recycle Collection Bins?

Shoe recycle collection bins containers can be placed in various community and retail venues. Specific shoe recycling initiatives may partner with local businesses, schools, fitness centers, running shoe stores, sports events, universities, and other organizations.

Some programs even provide consumers with recycling bags.

Collection Location	What You May Find
Running stores	Footwear take-back or collection boxes
Gyms	Collection campaigns for used sneakers
Schools	Community shoe collection drives
Retail stores	Permanent or seasonal footwear bins
Sporting events	Temporary collection points
Universities	Sustainability and recycling programs
Community organisations	Donation and footwear collection drives

Sneaker Impact, Inc. notes that their collection system comprises businesses, schools, cities, gyms, and events, while consumers may utilize collection bags. Their published programs include collaboration with running shops, universities, government buildings, sporting events, and retail outlets.

As the collection criteria may differ, it makes sense to be sure about the types of shoes that are accepted and the procedure at the drop-off point.

What Shoes Can You Recycle?

Not all footwear recycling programs accept the same items. Some may only accept sneakers and athletic shoes, while others accept more types of footwear.

For instance, the FAQ from Sneaker Impact, Inc. mentions that the program only accepts running, athletic, gym, cross-training, children's and basketball sneakers. Currently, other shoe types like dress shoes, boots, cleats, golf shoes, football footwear, high heels and sandals are not included.

This highlights an important point: do not assume every shoe can go into every recycling bin.

Check the Condition of the Shoes

Wearable shoes could have the option to be reused, while those that are excessively used might have the option to undergo material recovery depending on the organization undertaking the collection process.

A quick assessment will assist in determining whether the shoes fall under any of these categories:

• Are both the shoes available?

• Are they clean enough?

• Are the soles still attached?

• Are they wearable?

• Is that kind of shoe accepted by the collection program?

  
  

How Should You Prepare Shoes for Recycling?

Preparing footwear for collection does not need to be complicated.

1. Clean Off Loose Dirt

Remove mud, stones and other loose debris. Shoes do not need to look new, but basic cleaning makes them easier to handle.

2. Keep Each Pair Together

Tie the laces together or secure the shoes as a pair. This reduces the chance of one shoe becoming separated during transport and sorting.

3. Check the Collection Rules

Look for information about accepted shoe types, condition requirements and collection methods before using a bin.

4. Use the Correct Container

Place shoes inside the designated collection bin, box or approved take-back bag. Do not leave footwear beside a full or closed container.

5. Avoid Contaminated Footwear

If shoes contain hazardous substances, excessive contamination or other materials specifically excluded by the program, use the appropriate disposal route instead.

What Happens After You Recycle Footwear?

Collection is just the beginning step. Once the recycle footwear is received at the processing plant, the footwear could be examined and sorted according to the condition of the items.

Some footwear could still be reusable. Other footwear could proceed into material recovery.

Sneaker Impact outlines a four-level grading and sorting process for their materials process, which extends from almost new footwear to end of life sneakers. In Sneaker Impact's circular material process, post-consumer footwear is shredded and ground, dust and dirt removed, the textile materials separated, and rubber and foam separated.

This example shows that footwear should not always be considered waste material because each part of the same footwear could have their own material recovery potential.

Recycling or Donation Which Option Is Better?

The answer depends on the condition of the footwear.

Shoe Condition	Possible Option
Almost new	Resale or reuse
Gently worn	Donation or reuse
Worn but intact	Dedicated footwear collection
Damaged or heavily worn	Material recovery, if accepted
Unsuitable for the program	Follow local disposal guidance

Donation and recycling are associated processes; however, there are distinctions between them. For example, an old pair may be better used by someone else, while a used up sneaker may gain more benefits from being recycled.

Use Your Old Sneakers Wisely

A pair of sneakers that is no longer needed should not necessarily become a part of household garbage. The preferable way of disposing of your sneakers is reuse, donation, or footwear recycling program.

In case of consumers, all actions are quite simple: determine what items can be collected at your local collection facility, how to prepare the sneakers, and choose a proper place or take-back point. In view of increasing access to organized collection and material recovery infrastructure, the decision of where to send your old sneakers becomes quite an easy task.

Next time you find yourself with a pair of sneakers to dispose of, look for a proper collection facility before sending them to trash.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I recycle used shoes in my residential recycling bin?

Normally, not. Curbside recycling systems usually don't recycle complete shoes. A footwear recycling system is the best choice when such an opportunity exists.

2. Where to look for shoe recycling collection bins?

Running stores, retailers that participate in shoe recycling, fitness centers, educational institutions, organizations and sporting events are the places where you might find such recycling facilities.

3. Are worn out sneakers recyclable?

Yes, some recycling programs take worn out sneakers to recover their materials. Others are designed for taking reusable shoes.

4. Should I clean used shoes before recycling them?

It would be good to clean them at least partially. Remove all debris from the shoes and keep each pair together.

5. Is shoe donation the same as shoe recycling?

No. Donating implies giving away used but wearable shoes while recycling means recovering materials from these shoes or using them again. Depending on the state of your shoes, the shoe recycling program might either collect or donate them.