What Happens to Our Old Sneakers?

Think about how many pairs of sneakers you have owned over the years. Maybe you outgrew them, wore them until they fell apart, or replaced them because a newer pair caught your attention. But have you ever stopped to think about what happens to those shoes after you get rid of them?

For many people, throwing away old shoes is the easiest option. However, footwear waste is an issue worth paying more attention to, and there are better alternatives we can consider.

The Problem With Throwing Shoes Away

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 13 million tons of clothing and footwear entered the U.S. municipal waste stream in 2018. Of that amount, roughly 9.07 million tons ended up in landfills. These figures include both clothing and footwear, showing just how much material we discard instead of recovering.

Shoes can be especially challenging to recycle because they may combine rubber, foam, fabric, leather, and different types of plastic. These materials are often difficult to separate, which means recycling an old pair of sneakers is not as simple as putting a cardboard box in a recycling bin.

The good news is that throwing shoes away does not have to be our only option.

Give Your Old Sneakers Another Chance

Before throwing away your next pair of sneakers, consider whether someone else could use them or whether a recycling program accepts them.

If your shoes are still wearable, donating them can help extend their useful life. If they are too worn to donate, certain footwear recycling programs may be able to recover materials for other uses.

For example, Nike offers recycling and donation options at participating stores. Eligible athletic shoes may be donated through nonprofit partners or directed toward recycling, depending on their condition. You can learn more through Nike's Recycling + Donation page.

Not every store accepts every type of shoe, so check the program's requirements before making a trip.

Make Your Next Pair Count

We do not have to be perfect to make more responsible choices. We can start by taking better care of the shoes we already own, donating wearable pairs, and researching appropriate recycling options when our shoes reach the end of their useful lives.

The next time you clean out your closet, do not automatically throw your old sneakers in the trash. Take a moment to look for another option.

My challenge to you: Before you get rid of your next pair of sneakers, find a donation or recycling program that accepts them. Start by exploring Nike's recycling and donation options and see whether a participating location near you can help.

A small change in what we do with our old shoes can be a step toward reducing waste.

Sources & Learn More

Want to learn more about footwear waste and what you can do with your old sneakers? Check out these resources to explore the issue, learn about sustainability efforts, and find ways to give your shoes another life.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Clothing and Footwear Waste Data — Explore data on clothing and footwear waste, recycling, and landfilling in the United States.

• GotSneakers: Individual Sneaker Recycling Program — Find out how to participate in sneaker recycling and review the program's eligibility and payment requirements.

• Nike: Sustainability — Learn about Nike's sustainability priorities and efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
• Adidas: Sustainability - Learn about the Adidas sustainability priorities and efforts to reduce its environmental impact. 
• Under Armour : Sustainability - Learn about the Under Armour sustainability priorities and efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
• ON - Sustainability - Learn about the ON sustainability priorities and efforts to reduce its environmental impact.

• Nike: How to Get Rid of Old Shoes Sustainably — Learn how to reuse, donate, and recycle old shoes, including how to check whether a participating Nike store near you offers shoe recycling.