Wondering what to do with old shoes that are too worn to donate?
You鈥檙e not alone. Every year, millions of shoes end up in landfills鈥� and potentially leaking harmful chemicals into the soil.
The United States leads the world in footwear consumption, with a 鈥攁nd that means a whole lot of waste when shoes reach the end of their life.
But here鈥檚 the good news: Shoe recycling is easier than you think. Whether you鈥檙e looking to recycle old shoes near you, donate gently used pairs, or find eco-friendly disposal for leather and rubber shoes, this guide covers every smart, sustainable option.
Let鈥檚 explore how to recycle shoes responsibly鈥攁nd keep them out of the trash for good.
Key Takeaway: How to Dispose of Old Shoes
Wondering what to do with old shoes? If they鈥檙e still wearable, donate them to a local charity or shoe drive. For worn-out pairs, recycle them through programs like Nike Grind, TerraCycle, or the Green Directory. Creative reuse projects like DIY birdhouses or welcome signs offer sustainable alternatives too.
Can You Recycle Shoes?
Yes, you can recycle most shoes鈥攅ven worn-out or broken ones. Shoe recycling programs can recover materials like rubber, leather, fabric, and metal for reuse in new products.
If you’re wondering how to recycle shoes that can鈥檛 be donated, the key is finding a facility that accepts multi-material footwear. Many shoe recycling centers near you specialize in disassembling old shoes for raw material recovery.
What Shoe Materials Can Be Recycled?
Most shoes contain recyclable parts鈥攅ven if they鈥檙e not wearable anymore. Common recyclable materials include:
- Rubber soles 鈥� Used in playground surfaces, running tracks, or new sneakers
- Textiles and fabric linings 鈥� Turned into carpet padding or insulation
- Leather 鈥� Upcycled into belts, accessories, or industrial products
- Metal parts (eyelets, shanks, buckles) 鈥� Recovered and remanufactured
馃幆 Shoes should be clean and dry before recycling. Local programs or brand take-back schemes often accept recycling shoes near you, including those too damaged for donation.
Where Can You Donate Old Shoes Near You? 8 Shoe Donation Options
Looking to donate old shoes for recycling or reuse? Whether your shoes are lightly worn or just need a new home, plenty of programs accept footwear donations. Many of these organizations offer free drop-off locations or mail-in options鈥攕ome even refurbish and redistribute shoes to people in need.
Here are some of the best places to donate old shoes near you:听
- 骋辞辞诲飞颈濒濒,听
- Salvation Army,听
- 厂辞濒别蝉4厂辞耻濒蝉,听
- Share Your Soles,听
- Pickup Please,听
- Dress for Success,听
- One World Running,听
- and Sneaker Freaker
听
1. Goodwill (Nationwide Shoe Donation Made Easy)
is one of the most accessible places to donate old shoes near you. From sneakers to casual wear, donating footwear to Goodwill helps reduce landfill waste while supporting local job training and employment programs.
Why donate shoes to Goodwill?
- Diverts usable shoes from landfills
- Funds career-building initiatives in your community
- Easy to find donation centers across the U.S.
How to donate shoes at Goodwill:
- Inspect condition 鈥� Shoes must be gently worn and clean
- Find a drop-off 鈥� Use the Goodwill store locator
- Drop and go 鈥� Bring your shoes to your local center鈥攏o appointment needed
鉁� Tip: Search 鈥淕oodwill shoe donation near me鈥� to find your nearest location.
2. The Salvation Army (Free Shoe Pick-Up Options Available)
Looking for where to donate old shoes with maximum community impact? accepts gently worn men鈥檚, women鈥檚, and children鈥檚 shoes through their wide network of thrift stores.
What your donation supports:
- Rehab and recovery programs
- Shelter and food for the homeless
- Disaster relief in local communities
Donation checklist:
- Shoes must be clean and wearable (no excessive damage)
- You can drop off or schedule a free home pickup
馃攳 Search 鈥淪alvation Army shoe donation near me鈥� to get started.
3. Soles4Souls: Donate Shoes for Global Impact
If you鈥檙e asking where to donate old shoes for global good, is a top nonprofit option. They鈥檝e redistributed over 83 million pairs to people in need across 127 countries.
Accepted items:
- Gently worn or new shoes
- Mismatched pairs
- All styles and sizes
How to donate:
- Drop off at a local partner (DSW, Zappos for Good, etc.)
- Or ship your shoes for free via their donation platform
鉁� Why it matters: Your shoes help fight poverty, reduce textile waste, and support micro-enterprise efforts worldwide.
4. Share Your Soles (Best for Chicago-Area Shoe Donations)
Live in the Chicago area and wondering how to recycle shoes locally? distributes donated footwear to underserved communities with a focus on dignity and direct impact.
Why choose Share Your Soles?
- Supports both local and international aid programs
- Prioritizes health and dignity in shoe distribution
- Accepts gently used, clean footwear
Donation steps:
- Drop off at their Chicago distribution center or a local partner
- Shoes must be in wearable condition, free from holes or tears
馃攳 Search 鈥渄onate shoes in Chicago鈥� or 鈥淪hare Your Soles donation center.鈥�
5. Pickup Please (Donate Shoes to Support U.S. Veterans)
Pickup Please鈥攐perated by the Vietnam Veterans of America鈥攐ffers free donation pickups, including for gently used shoes, from your home. It鈥檚 an ideal choice if you’re searching for 鈥渇ree shoe recycling near me.鈥�
Why it stands out:
- Supports job training, healthcare, and housing for veterans
- Accepts shoes, clothing, and small household goods
- Convenient doorstep collection鈥攏o interaction required
How to donate:
- Schedule pickup online
- Pack and label items for 鈥淰VA鈥�
- Leave the donation outside by your front door
鉁� or search 鈥淧ickup Please shoe donation near me.鈥�
6. Dress for Success (Donate Women鈥檚 Professional Shoes)
Have work-appropriate women’s shoes to donate? empowers women by providing professional attire鈥攊ncluding footwear鈥攆or job interviews and career development.
Best donation fit:
- Gently worn heels, flats, or dress shoes
- Shoes suitable for workplace or interview settings
- Clean and in excellent condition
How to donate:
- Drop off at one of their 145 global offices
- Some locations accept shipped donations鈥攃heck their website
鉁� Search 鈥淒ress for Success shoe donation near me鈥� to support women on the path to economic independence.
7. One World Running (Running Shoe Donations for Athletes in Need)
helps aspiring athletes in developing countries by distributing donated running shoes. Since 1986, they鈥檝e sent thousands of gently worn pairs to runners lacking access to basic gear.
What they accept:
- Running shoes in solid, gently used condition
- Shoes with good treads and no tears
How to donate:
- Clean your shoes and pair them
- Mail to their U.S. donation hub or drop off at partner sites
Your sneakers could help someone cross a literal finish line.
8. Sneaker Freaker: Find the Perfect Sneaker Donation Match
If you’re still wondering where to donate sneakers, Sneaker Freaker offers a curated list of global sneaker donation programs鈥攑erfect for sneakerheads with specialty shoes or streetwear.
Why use their guide:
- Find donation options for lightly used, rare, or collectible sneakers
- Support youth programs, sustainability causes, and disaster relief
- Choose from a vetted list of sneaker-focused charities
馃枼锔� to explore options aligned with your values. Perfect if the usual donation centers don鈥檛 match your sneaker game.
Why You Should Donate Old Shoes Instead of Throwing Them Away
Donating old shoes is one of the most impactful ways to reduce waste and support others鈥攅specially when your shoes are still in usable condition.
If your shoes aren鈥檛 completely ruined or dirty, they might be perfect for someone else. From shelters and low-income families to international aid organizations, donated shoes help people who can鈥檛 afford to buy new footwear.
On average, Americans buy over seven pairs of shoes each year鈥攁nd many of them sit barely worn. That means you likely have a pair or two ready to serve a second life.
Shoe donations also support local economies abroad. In countries like Guatemala and Pakistan, donated shoes are cleaned, repaired, and resold鈥攃reating jobs and access to affordable footwear. In many cases, these programs also fund charitable causes or micro-businesses.
Repairing and reusing shoes is more sustainable than recycling. By choosing donation first, you extend the life of your shoes and help close the loop on waste.
Looking for where to donate old shoes for recycling or reuse? Many charities, thrift stores, and even mail-in programs accept gently worn footwear.
鉁� With , donating even one pair helps reduce waste, fight poverty, and support reuse.
How to Recycle Shoes That Are Too Worn to Donate
If your old shoes are too damaged to donate, you can still keep them out of the landfill by recycling them. Shoe recycling programs break down materials like rubber, leather, fabric, and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) to create new products such as playground turf, carpet padding, or even new footwear.
Why recycle worn-out shoes?
- Prevents harmful materials like EVA from releasing toxins in landfills
- Reduces solid waste and promotes circular fashion
- Diverts usable materials into new manufacturing streams
Many shoe recycling centers and programs accept broken, unwearable shoes鈥攅specially athletic or rubber-soled types. Brands like 狈颈办别鈥檚 Reuse-a-Shoe and Terracycle offer drop-off or mail-in recycling options for non-donatable footwear.
铀伙笍 Pro Tip: Always clean your shoes before recycling to help processors separate materials more efficiently.
1. Recycle Shoes with TerraCycle鈥檚 Zero Waste Box
Looking for a premium shoe recycling solution? TerraCycle offers a nationwide mail-in recycling program called the Zero Waste Box, designed to handle shoes that can’t be donated or recycled locally.
How it works:
- Visit TerraCycle鈥檚 website and select the Shoe Zero Waste Box
- They鈥檒l ship an empty box to your door
- Fill it with any type of old, worn-out shoes鈥攕ingle pairs, damaged, or mixed materials
- Seal and ship it back with the included return label
Once received, TerraCycle breaks down your shoes into reusable components:
- Rubber and plastics become containers, pallets, or insulation
- Fabrics and foams are transformed into furniture or industrial textiles
It鈥檚 ideal for recycling shoes that are too worn to donate鈥攊ncluding leather shoes, sneakers, boots, and more.
Cost starts at $129, so consider pooling with friends, workplaces, or schools to make it a shared sustainability effort.
Search 鈥淭erraCycle shoe recycling near me鈥� or to order a box today.
2. Recycle Sneakers with Nike Grind
狈颈办别鈥檚 Grind program turns worn-out sneakers into sustainable materials used in sports surfaces, insulation, and even future Nike gear. This program accepts athletic shoes from any brand, giving your old kicks a second life and keeping waste out of landfills.
How to recycle shoes with Nike Grind:
- Bring your gently worn athletic sneakers (no boots, sandals, or metal parts)
- Visit a participating Nike retail store with a Reuse-A-Shoe drop-off bin
- Find your nearest location using 狈颈办别鈥檚 online store locator
What happens next?
Recycled shoes are shredded and turned into:
- Playground turf and running tracks
- Foam for home insulation
- New Nike products and footwear components
is one of the most accessible and free shoe recycling programs available across the U.S. Search 鈥淣ike shoe recycling near me鈥� to get started.
3. TevaForever: How to Recycle Your Old Teva Sandals
Wondering how to recycle Teva sandals? The , launched in partnership with TerraCycle, offers a free mail-in solution to give your worn-out sandals a second life.
It鈥檚 easy, sustainable, and sandal-specific.
How to recycle your Tevas:
- Pack your sandals 鈥� Use any cardboard box you have at home
- Get a prepaid shipping label 鈥� Download from Teva鈥檚 website
- Mail them in 鈥� Drop the package off at your nearest post office
Teva recycles your old sandals into materials for playgrounds, running tracks, or even future Tevas鈥攃reating a closed-loop system that supports circular design and waste reduction.
This program is open to all Teva sandals, regardless of condition, and is completely free.
4. Where to Recycle Running Shoes in Colorado: Runners Roost
If you’re in Colorado and wondering where to recycle old running shoes, offers a free, eco-friendly solution. Drop off your worn-out sneakers at any of their store locations and keep them out of the landfill.
What happens to your recycled shoes?
- Turned into playground surfacing and running tracks
- Donated as wearable footwear to local homeless shelters and veterans
- Used in sustainability programs across the state
This program is open to all brands of running shoes, as long as they’re clean and dry.
It鈥檚 completely free and available at every Runners Roost location across Colorado.
Search 鈥淩unners Roost shoe recycling near me鈥� to find your closest store and give your shoes a second chance to do good.
5. GotSneakers: Donate or Recycle Sneakers鈥攁nd Earn Money Doing It
is a sneaker donation and recycling program that supports underprivileged communities while rewarding you for every pair you collect.
Whether your old sneakers are lightly worn or completely beat-up, GotSneakers will either donate them for reuse or recycle them responsibly.
How it works:
- Sign up for a free sneaker recycling kit on their website
- Collect gently used or worn-out sneakers
- Ship them back using the prepaid label
- Earn cash for every usable pair you send in
It鈥檚 perfect for:
- Sneaker drives at schools, gyms, or nonprofits
- Eco-conscious individuals looking to clear out their closet sustainably
- Anyone searching for how to recycle shoes for money
Sneakers in good condition are reused, while worn pairs are broken down for materials.
Search 鈥淕otSneakers donation program鈥� or 鈥渟neaker recycling fundraiser鈥� to get started.
Find Local Shoe Recycling Options with Green Directory
If you’re asking 鈥渨here can I recycle shoes near me?鈥�, GreenCitizen鈥檚 Green Directory is your free, easy-to-use tool for finding nearby shoe recycling drop-off points.
How to use it:
- Go to the Green Directory
- Type 鈥渟hoes鈥� into the 鈥淪earch For鈥� field
- Enter your city, zip code, or region into the 鈥淟辞肠补迟颈辞苍鈥� bar
- Instantly see local recycling programs that accept sneakers, leather shoes, sandals, and more
Whether you want to recycle old shoes, find a sneaker donation center, or locate drop-off points for worn-out footwear, the Green Directory connects you with verified recycling options near you.
Search 鈥渟hoe recycling near me鈥� and take the first step toward responsible disposal.
5 DIY Shoe Recycling Ideas for Old or Unusable Shoes
Looking for creative ways to reuse old shoes that can鈥檛 be donated? These easy DIY projects give worn-out footwear a new purpose鈥攁nd keep them out of the landfill.
1. Baby Shoe Pin Cushion
Repurpose your baby’s first shoes into an adorable and functional pincushion.
- Perfect for sewing enthusiasts
- Small, sentimental, and space-saving
Image and Idea Courtesy:听
2. High Heel Coat Rack
Turn old stilettos into a stylish wall-mounted coat or bag hanger.
- Attach the heels to a wooden plank
- Mount it to the wall with the heels pointing up
Image and Idea Courtesy:听
3. Kids鈥� Flip-Flop Wind Chime
Use a single flip-flop to create a playful wind chime.
- Punch holes in the sole
- Tie on craft-store chimes with string
- Hang where the breeze flows
Image and Idea Courtesy:听
4. Flip-Flop Welcome Sign
Make a colorful door sign using 7 flip-flops.
- Glue them together, overlapping
- Paint one letter on each to spell 鈥淲ELCOME鈥�
- Reinforce with cardboard or wood if needed
Image and Idea Courtesy:听
5. Old Shoe Birdhouse
Transform a shoe into a rustic birdhouse for your yard.
- Nail the sole onto a wooden base
- Build a simple cover or shade with small planks
- Attach to a tree and fill the toe with birdseed
Image and Idea Courtesy:听
铀伙笍 These projects are perfect if you’re asking 鈥渨hat to do with shoes that can鈥檛 be donated鈥� or looking to recycle shoes at home creatively.
What to Do With Old Shoes: Donation, Recycling, and Creative Reuse
When your shoes have walked their final mile, don鈥檛 toss them in the trash. There are better options鈥攁nd this guide covered them all.
- If they鈥檙e still wearable, donate them to trusted programs like Soles4Souls, Goodwill, or Dress for Success.
- If they鈥檙e too damaged to donate, explore shoe recycling through Nike Grind, TerraCycle, or your local recycling center via GreenCitizen鈥檚 Green Directory.
- Feeling creative? Turn your old kicks into birdhouses, welcome signs, or other upcycled projects.
As sustainable fashion grows, even plant-based sneakers are entering the market鈥攕howing that your next pair can start green and end green.
Ready to take action? Start by finding the best option near you with the Green Directory鈥攁nd keep your old shoes out of the landfill for good.
