Recycle Your Old Shoes
For years we have heard about recycling our plastics, aluminum cans, paper and used electronics – but what else can we recycle? I recently found out that my old running shoes can be recycled and remanufactured to make athletic surfaces. During the manufacturing process, my old shoes are cut into three slices which are then fed through a grinder and then purified. The purified material is then used to produce many different types of surfaces such as playground surfaces, tennis courts and outdoor tracks. Check out this recycling process! I don’t know of any other programs like it, but hopefully it will catch on. It is a cool process that will save energy and resources. And, like many other recycling processes – we also help the environment by reducing excess waste when we recycle our old shoes. Instead of piling our old shoes on top of a local landfill, we can put them to use in our parks and athletic centers. What other products in our home can we recycle? Let’s help prevent waste and conserve resources and energy through recycling in our homes and communities. Be sure to let us know what great ideas you have.
About the author: Michelle Gugger graduated from Rutgers University in 2008. She is currently spending a year of service at EPA’s Region 3 Office in Philadelphia, PA as an AmeriCorps VISTA.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Recycle zapatos
So where are the shoe collection centers?
I hope one day In China, we also can have suche a factory to do this action, and most people will like to send their shoes to recycle center.
Hi !
“Recycling Shoes” – wonderful idea!
The rubber on the soles of your shoes can be broken down and reprocessed into a variety of products, most commonly athletic flooring.
The rubber is also used in track and playground surfaces and in some consumer products. The foam is used for cushioning outdoor sports courts. The upper fabric of the shoe is used for cushioning indoor sports courts.
Yes, I have read about Nike Reuse a Shoe Program which was started in 1993. Nike has two plants that reprocess the shoes, one is in the U.S. and the other is in Belgium. They opened the Belgium plant in 2005. Not only are the shoes recycled but also the process creates jobs both at home and abroad.
With Regards
Amrita
http://www.quality-web-solutions.com
I would say send them back to China, and let them recycle it!
We have enough junk as it is, and the pollution that these plants will create is not something we need here.
Robert Enriquez
On the homepage of the nikereuseashoe site, there is a map. Underneath it, select your country and then options will come up. I selected US, and then it asked for my zipcode. Boom! A collection center 1 mile from my house (it is a gym). I am now collecting old shoes at my office as a little bit of a community drive.
is a very good idea…
Athletic and tennis shoes are already being recycled at 10stoe.com. I sell a DIY kit to patch your shoes’ soles, which doubles the life of your shoes every time it is repaired. I have one pair that is 4 years old and I use to wear out a pair of tennis shes in four months. All you need is some fabreeze once in a while to recycle those odors.
Patching up old shoes is a great idea, but for runners, like me, your shoes need to be replaced every 6-8 months. This is dependent on how hard you are on them. Otherwise you can suffer some serious health consequences.
For 5 years, during high school and undergrad, I worked for The Finish Line, a shoe retailer. Every year we had multiple shoe dotations, and the donated shoes would be given to underprivilaged families. Also, during back-to-school and Christmas times, Finish Line would give discounts to customers who brought in shoes to donate. There are many other retailers who do this as well. But, the old shoes are given to the charity called Soles4Souls. More information can be obtained at http://www.soles4souls.org
Another great organization is Toms Shoes. There is currently an ATT commercial advertising their company. For every pair of shoes you buy, the company gives a brand new pair for a child in need. Although it has nothing to do with recycling, it is still helping out people who are in great need. The shoes are comfortable, decently priced, and not to metion pretty cool looking.
Nike does have a great show recycling program as well. Thanks for pointing that out Michelle!
such a distinguished and wonderful idea,that recycling old shoes will
obviously do us good
is a very good idea
I hope one day In China, cheap shoes we also can have such a factory to do this action, and most people will like to send their shoes to recycle center.
Recycle Your Old Shoes,really?I have many old shoes and i don’t need they.If you want,i hope to give they to you.but what can i do?
recycle our shoes?
hmm that was creative idea.
but keep looking at your shoes condition. if it is too old for you, you can consider to keep them and then find the new shoes one.
Simple language, concise blog! Another style! I like!
by Louboutin
a blog of epa.gov?
Great idea to recycling the old shoes. Thanks for the idea’s.
regards,
Esaul Daris
That’s very interesting and inovate idea. Never thought that shoes can be recycled :)
@ Amrita some great points here.
@ lucy, I agree. I hope people will create more ideas to recycle old stuff, this will make earth much cleaner.
Jay.
Your good blog with extraordinary opinions has attracted me so much.It will be no doubt a excellent blog.
History, culture, and art is all that most of our life. Some ppeole really understand where the artist is coming from, when they have not walked in their shoes. It takes all kinds of things to make this world. The more, the better!
History, culture, and art is all that most of our life.
I always take my shoes to those less fortunate
i also like to recycle my old clothes along with my shoes
I agree with someone mention patching it’s good , but as I runner I do must change my shoes every 4-5month.
recycle is meaningful to our life,we should do anything we can.
I’ve heard about this scheme. Any attempt to re-purpose materials that were previously designated as waste has got be to a positive step forward.
Browsing on Google for something else closely connected, regardless before i ramble on too much i would just like to state how much I cherished your post, I’ve added your web blog and also obtained your Feed, Again thank you very much for the article carry on the good work.
If you want to recycle your shoes but don’t want them ground into pieces, consider donating to us at Soles4Souls. Our shoe recycling program focuses on Reusing shoes and giving them (not selling them) to people in need. GiveShoes.org has all the details.
Fantastic and inspirational posting. I love your blog and judging by the commentary you have a great list of followers. Will bookmark this site and keep updated..cheers!
Very good Post on recycling. I did not know shoes are recyclable I just give them away after getting the best mileage out of them. you can get info from wide width athletic shoes and see if the information will help you make an informed choice
The whole idea of recyling to help clean our environment is very intriguing. Being able to recycle shoes allows us to move one additional tiny step forward toward’s a healthier and more efficient planet. My views correlate strongly with this subject and I hope to see individuals acknowledging this in greater numbers in the future.
Kind reguards,
Justin Spencer
Yes that’s the best thing to do.
Great post!Keep sharing!
Great article, I believe in recyling shoes without a doubt.
This is a great first step towards maximizing the usage out of the
materials that go into making quality running shoes.
Interestingly enough as it is, we have to spread the word about this
topic. I will start by acknowleding this information and I will inform my followers
i like read your blog
I have read about Nike Reuse a Shoe Program which was started in 1993. Nike has two plants that reprocess the shoes, one is in the U.S. and the other is in Belgium
I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment! thank you!
Interesante este uso que se le da a los viejos zapatos.
The rubber is also used in track and playground surfaces and in some consumer products. The foam is used for cushioning outdoor sports courts. The upper fabric of the shoe is used for cushioning indoor sports courts.
this is cool. all this time i was wondering if my shoes can be recycled, now i know it can. i hope in the future we will make some technology that can produce shoe and clothes that will durable and strong in every condition so we don’t have to buy many shoes or clothes. it will save more energy and reduce waste stuff.
I NEED SOME ADDRESSES OF CENTERS THAT RECYCLE TOTALY DEAD UNWEARABLE SHOES FROM ALL KINDS, FOR PURIFIED MATERIAL THANK YOU.