What Can I Do With Old Shoes That Are Completely Worn Out?

[sophie832]

I figure if anyplace on the DIS has an answer on this topic, it would be the Budget Board! DH and I have a lot of old shoes that are in no condition to be donated (totally worn out, smelly, dirty, etc.). I've looked all over the Internet for a way to recycle them. All I found was the Nike program, which is for athletic shoes only. I've got a bunch of non-athletic shoes like pumps and sandals, that I would like to get rid of. I can't bear the thought of throwing them in the trash, but I also know they are in poor condition and I shouldn't donate them (all the charities ask for new or "gently worn" shoes). What do you do with your old shoes?

 

[cglaura]

I'd put an ad on Craigslist or the like. Free to good home...maybe some artsy person is looking for materials. Or even someone who really in need of help and needs anything at all and even "old and smelly" is better than nothing!

 

[bjscheel]

Our church did a drive where they would take all conditions because it was recycling, not for wearing, but I don't know the name of it.

Did you look here:
http://www.runtheplanet.com/shoes/selection/recycle.asp

Some of those give to the poor it looks like, but other recycle them into playground surfaces. You might contact some of those.

 

[sophie832]

I'd put an ad on Craigslist or the like. Free to good home...maybe some artsy person is looking for materials. Or even someone who really in need of help and needs anything at all and even "old and smelly" is better than nothing!

I was thinking about people who might want to upcycle for art purposes, so that's a good idea. I guess I'm not sure what condition old shoes would be for people to wear them...all I know is a lot of mine have had sweat-absorbing pads in them, and even that didn't always help

Our church did a drive where they would take all conditions because it was recycling, not for wearing, but I don't know the name of it.

Did you look here:
http://www.runtheplanet.com/shoes/selection/recycle.asp

Some of those give to the poor it looks like, but other recycle them into playground surfaces. You might contact some of those.

That's a great list! I know that the ones who recycle into playground surfaces are only looking for certain types of material, usually found in athletic shoes, but there are a lot of good charities and recycling services on that list, so I will check into it.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

I pitch them, it's hard to say goodbye at first...but the feeling goes away pretty quickly.

 

[bnhasak]

Slightly related but is there any kind of Croc recycling program? I have some that my kids have outgrown and not sure what to do with them.

 

[akcire]

Slightly related but is there any kind of Croc recycling program? I have some that my kids have outgrown and not sure what to do with them.

Crocs takes back old crocs and makes them into new crocs for people in places without shoes.

I know all the official Croc stores take them--there is an outlet near me and I have dropped off many a pair.

 

[Marionnette]

I pitch them, it's hard to say goodbye at first...but the feeling goes away pretty quickly.

I think that the op was hoping not to send them off to a landfill. I really dont think she was thinking about sending them off some place so that someone else would wear them.

 

[sophie832]

I think that the op was hoping not to send them off to a landfill. I really dont think she was thinking about sending them off some place so that someone else would wear them.

Exactly I don't have any problem letting go of the old shoes, but I'd be sad to think of them sitting in a landfill for eternity.

 

[SaraJayne]

If they aren't good enough for my family to wear, they aren't good enough for anyone else to wear.

I throw them in the garbage and don't think twice about it. Some things are just garbage and should be thrown away. Smelly, worn out shoes are garbage.

 

[Marionnette]

If they aren't good enough for my family to wear, they aren't good enough for anyone else to wear.

I throw them in the garbage and don't think twice about it. Some things are just garbage and should be thrown away. Smelly, worn out shoes are garbage.

Another poster who missed the op's point. She wants to keep them out of a landfill and recycle them somehow. She doesnt want to donate her smelly worn out shoes for someone to wear them.

 

[SaraJayne]

Another poster who missed the op's point. She wants to keep them out of a landfill and recycle them somehow. She doesnt want to donate her smelly worn out shoes for someone to wear them.

No, I didn't miss the point.

Sometimes things are just garbage and shouldn't be recycled.

 

[Marionnette]

No, I didn't miss the point.

Sometimes things are just garbage and shouldn't be recycled.

So your comment that "If they aren't good enough for my family to wear, they aren't good enough for anyone else to wear" was for what purpose if you understood the op's intentions?

You would be surprised what can be recycled when people set their minds to conserve resources. A landfill should always be a last resort when other means of disposal are possible.

 

[tonilea]

Something to consider.... will all the resources used to get them to recycling negate the the actual value of recycling?

 

[Ephany]

Crocs takes back old crocs and makes them into new crocs for people in places without shoes.

I know all the official Croc stores take them--there is an outlet near me and I have dropped off many a pair.

Very cool. We just found out there's a Croc outlet semi-nearby; it seems DD has been outgrowing her crocs lately faster than she's wearing them out. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[bookgirl]

Tie the shoe laces together (or if no shoelaces contect the pair with any heavy duty string or cord)

Find a large tree....throw shoes up into tree.....run like hell, expecially if it isn't your tree.

Not exactly recycling but definitly amusing to the throwee and the general public...but not to the owner of the tree.

I'd tell you to throw them on the nearest trafick signal or electrical wire but the would be illeagle and we never break the law on the DIS.

 

[autumnsmommy]

Some cultures tie shoes to the departing bridal parties vehicle, not sure why, but that's a form of recycling

 

[penn19]

Check Ebay. A few years ago (seriously) I made really, really good money selling old, worn out shoes. Apparently, some people have shoe fetishes....

 

[tonilea]

Tie the shoe laces together (or if no shoelaces contect the pair with any heavy duty string or cord)

Find a large tree....throw shoes up into tree.....run like hell, expecially if it isn't your tree.

Not exactly recycling but definitly amusing to the throwee and the general public...but not to the owner of the tree.

I'd tell you to throw them on the nearest trafick signal or electrical wire but the would be illeagle and we never break the law on the DIS.

According to DH, that is sometimes used as a signal for people who are selling drugs.

 

[bigbabyblues]

There is a bin outside of our Walmart to put in shoes to be recycled. I don't know what they do with them, it's there with the other recycle bins.