An In-Depth Guide To Recycling Your Shoes

In 2019, there were 24.3 billion pairs of shoes produced worldwide.

If people start tossing all their used shoes in the trash, the result will be catastrophic. This is one of the reasons why we encourage people to recycle their shoes as much as possible. Every day, we receive donations of secondhand shoes that go on to find new owners.

If you’ve got a collection of old shoes collecting dust in your closet, here’s why you should recycle them…

Why It’s Important

According to the United States Department of the Interior, Americans throw out 300 million pairs of shoes annually.

When you throw out a pair of shoes, it eventually finds its way to a landfill. It’ll stay there for decades, about 3 to 4 on average, before it decomposes completely.

Consider how many shoes are produced and thrown out around the world every year, and you’ll realize the scale of the problem.

Conventional Recycling

Shoes can’t be recycled as easily as products made of glass, paper, or aluminum. This is because shoes are made from a combination of materials. Often, as many as 10 to 15 different materials can be used in a single pair of shoes. This number also includes different types of plastic.

This mixing of materials is what makes it difficult to recycle shoes. Several companies are focusing on creating 100% biodegradable shoes that are an environmentally-friendly option. However, such shoes only make a tiny percentage of the total number of shoes, and aren’t a viable solution at present.

What to Do?

There are three convenient options for dealing with your old shoes: Donate them | Sell them | Recycle them

Donating Your Shoes

If you’ve outgrown your shoes, or just aren’t a fan of their design anymore, consider donating them. There are many places offering secondhand shoes online in Baltimore. Look up your nearest facility, and drop off your shoes when convenient. When donating, remember to tie the shoes together. A single shoe isn’t of much use to anyone.

Selling Your Old Shoes

You also have the option of earning through your old shoes. If you prefer getting something in return for them, secondhand online stores will gladly take them off your hands for some cash.

Whether you choose to donate or sell, remember that your shoes should be in good condition. You want other people to continue using them, so avoid donating or selling shoes with holes or major faults in them.

If your shoes are too damaged to be donated, there is one more option.

Recycling Your Old Shoes

As we’ve discussed before, recycling shoes is quite difficult. However, it’s still a better option than your old shoes ending up in a landfill somewhere. Doing your research is key to ensuring your shoes are properly recycled. Look up old shoe recycling facilities near you, and drop off all your used shoes.

At Whitehouse and Schapiro, we’re experienced credential clothing wholesalers and secondhand clothes suppliers in Baltimore. Get in touch with us today for used clothes donation and secondhand shoes for sale.