What Happens to Footwear That Cannot Be Reused?

The document focuses on the challenges and advancements in footwear recycling and sustainability. It highlights that footwear recycling faces significant obstacles due to the complex mix of materials and the lack of established recovery processes.

Unlike textiles, footwear recycling solutions are limited, primarily because shoes are constructed with multiple materials that are glued or stitched together, making disassembly and processing costly and inefficient. As a result, most footwear waste is discarded rather than recycled.

Eco TLC, a key player in this sector, has supported research and development projects to address these issues. These include funding Europe’s only pre-industrial footwear recycling unit and advancing eco-design initiatives to enhance recyclability.

Some of the proposed solutions emphasize simplifying materials and manufacturing processes, using sustainable materials such as bio-sourced or recycled components, and improving disassembly techniques. Some of the examples include developing shoes with replaceable parts, 3D-printed components, or models assembled without glue or stitching.

The report also maps current recycling methods and innovations, such as shredding materials for reuse in applications including sports surfaces or acoustic panels. Projects include integrating biodegradable or recyclable materials into shoe designs and exploring closed-loop recycling systems. The recommendations underscore the importance of educating consumers on footwear care, extending product life, and encouraging industry collaboration to develop efficient recycling infrastructures.