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

[arieltoo]

At our local farmers market, one stall sold succulent plants, such as hen and chicks. They put them in all types of containers, including old shoes. A hole or two on the top or side, was another outlet for the plants, hole in the bottom? drainage. I did not see athletic shoes, but many other type were used. Very cute!

 

[mafibisha]

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

Thank you. Very true. Including the precious commodity called *time* !



I'm all about recycling, but some stuff you just have to throw away.

 

[sophie832]

I really appreciate all the helpful comments. I know even the people who are telling me to throw them away are just trying to help. In the end, some might end up in the trash, but I will try some of the other ideas first. I will try to be mindful of the cost of just doing the recycling, as well. Hopefully, the shoes will go to a better place.

 

[nikemouse]

I came across this forum looking for ideas on shoe recycling and saw some good ones. I just want to respond to the thought of wasted resources during the recycling process. Although it is true that energy and some materials are required to reuse a the material, extracting and processing any raw material has impacts as well.

Just about any raw material in the ground is finite and getting at them isn't always easy. I imagine a lot of the materials in shoes are derived from petroleum and everyone knows how hot of a topic that is. Raw material or not, it needs to be processed into its new form. I think grinding shoes into playground material is a relatively simple process.

Just my 2 cents (maybe 2 dollars with inflation)

 

[North of Mouse]

At our local farmers market, one stall sold succulent plants, such as hen and chicks. They put them in all types of containers, including old shoes. A hole or two on the top or side, was another outlet for the plants, hole in the bottom? drainage. I did not see athletic shoes, but many other type were used. Very cute!

I've seen the same thing here, also different kinds of boots - really made some neat "conversation pieces" spaced in the flower gardens. Also, the plants seem to thrive on the "smelly" old things

 

[gator75]

You can do what i have done in the past with old shoes. Use them as planters for your plants. drill holes in the bottom for the water to run out fill with dirt and put in a plant of your choice. All my neighbors have commented on them they are cute and if you get sick of them well you can always throw them out when done.

 

[queenbetsey]

I have also seen them used as planters. Out here we have a big issue with aphids. They do not bother your plants as much if you have some marigolds in your garden. Go buy a bunch of them and plant one or two in each shoe and then you can move them around your garden as needed.
Also I like the idea of trying to find an artist for them. My daughter is an artist and can make something cool out of just about anything.

 

[willowsnn3]

At our local farmers market, one stall sold succulent plants, such as hen and chicks. They put them in all types of containers, including old shoes. A hole or two on the top or side, was another outlet for the plants, hole in the bottom? drainage. I did not see athletic shoes, but many other type were used. Very cute!

Ohh, made me think of my friend who took one of her dh's old construction boot (large) and put a plant in it. She kept it on the front steps to the porch. It actually looked nice.

 

[pampam]

Have you considered making your own shoes from the old ones? I borrowed a book from the library once that descdribed how. I think it may have been this one.

http://www.marywalesloomis.com/page10.html

As I recall, you fill one of your comfortable shoes with cement to use as a form. You use buckram which you buy at the fabric store, counters and heels salvaged from old shoes, and make shoes to co-ordinate with your outfits.

I bought the buckram, but somehow never got around to actually making shoes, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

[prncess674]

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.

I would put in one of those bins as long as it isn't a Salvation Army or Goodwill bin. SA and GW are looking to resell as the original product, but the bins for places like "Planet Aid" and other such names actually take the items and recycle for profit.

 

[angierae]

If they are just worn out (so, not the smelly ones), a local daycare might like them for their dress-up area. The 4 year olds I worked with LOVED tromping around in high heels and other too-big shoes during playtime.

 

[BBandDisney]

Is this thread some kind of giant put on . Sheesh.

 

[QVCshopper]

I gave my old crocs to the crocs outlet and old sneakers to the Nike outlet. And, recently I saw a drive collecting shoes in any condition for the Haiti earthquake survivors. So, you may be able to find a local drive like that. I try to keep things out of the garbage, too, but sometimes you can't.

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

Are you serious?

You couldn't "bear the thought" of your "totally worn out, smelly, dirty" shoes going in the garbage?

This dilemma obviously runs deeper than deciding where or how to dispose of the shoes...