ReNewShoe takes old shoes and is said to recycle them to the full 100%, producing resources such as rubber, foam, fluff and leather. This material can then be transformed into a range of different items such as picnic tables, flooring for indoor and outdoor sport facilities and even be used to create fully circular shoes. The latter is already being done through the ASICS Neocurve sneaker.
The partnership will see Reconomy Connect facilitate the collection of unwanted shoes by providing designated drop-off points at sites, making it easier for people to dispose of their footwear.
The partnership comes at a time when the global footwear industry produces 24.3 billion pairs of shoes each year. According to Reconomy, footwear is notoriously hard to recycle and 95% of it, or the equivalent of 300 million tonnes, is said to end up in landfill or incineration every year.
‘An often-overlooked issue’
Dave Seal-Yates, head of circular solutions at Reconomy Connect, said: “We are thrilled to be playing a key role in addressing the significant challenge of hard-to-recycle footwear, an often-overlooked issue. Partnering with ReNewShoe will help us in our mission to support businesses unlock cost savings and commercial opportunities by keeping resources in circulation, reducing the need for virgin material production and preventing waste from ending up in landfill.”
Gareth Denton Smith, managing director at ReNewShoe, added: “I started my business because I could not understand why there was not a method for sustainably recycling footwear. I was determined to address this and create a business that uses best-in-class technologies to maximise material reuse, reduce waste and promote the circular economy. I am delighted to now be partnering with Reconomy Connect, whose extensive waste collection infrastructure and technology capabilities will help take our efforts to drive responsible shoe recycling to the next level.”
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