Recycled shoes used to be hard to find, but now, both new and established brands are coming out with more styles made from recycled materials. One example is P.E.T. plastic, which is the plastic used to make disposable plastic bottles. It can be melted down and then spun into fibers, which can then be woven into flexible materials used in shoes, as clothing, dog collars, and other products.
Plastic Pollution Crisis
The plastic pollution problem is now a global crisis. According to the nonprofit Surfers Against Sewage, in 1950, there were 2.5 billion people in the world consuming 1.5 million tons of plastic annually. Fast-forward to 2016 and the world’s 7 billion people were consuming 320 million tons of plastic. And the horrifying statistic is that we are set to double that number by 2034.
The best thing we can do is avoid using virgin plastic as much as possible. In addition, purchasing goods that are made from recycled plastic helps to keep at least some of that plastic out of the ocean and landfills. Making the decision to buy from brands that are actively trying to solve the plastic waste problem helps to create a market for recycled plastic over virgin plastic.
Here are some innovative brands that are making cool shoes made from recycled plastic and other recycled materials. And if you’re looking for sandals, check out my post on Recycled and Vegan Flip Flops Guide.
1. Converse Renew Recycled Chuck Taylors and Other Styles
Converse has also gotten into the recycling game with a new twist on their classic Chuck Taylors and other styles. Dubbed Converse Renew, the line is made with 30-40% recycled manufacturing waste, including scraps from Converse’s own factory. Plus, the soles are made with recycled rubber. There are tons of color combos, including custom multi-color to choose from.
Buy at Converse >>
2. Sperry Bionic Recycled Shoes
If you love the ocean, then you’ll appreciate Sperry’s wide selection of boat-style shoes that are made with plastic that’s been reclaimed before it enters the sea, and recycled into Sperry’s classic topsiders, sneakers, and even duck boots. Every pair keeps at least five plastic bottles out of the waste stream.
Buy at Sperry >>
3. Cariuma
Cariuma is a new, environmentally-conscious footwear brand from Brazil. For every pair of shoes they sell, they plant a pair of trees in the Brazilian rainforest. With a focus on sustainability, Cariuma founders David and Fernando source eco-friendly materials for their shoes, such as natural rubber, bamboo, cork, and organic cotton. Plus, they incorporate recyled PET plastic into their shoes and ship them in recycled packaging. (Just a note for my vegan visitors, they do use leather in some styles, so be sure to check the product details before you buy.)
Buy at Cariuma >>
4. Reebok
In recent year, Reebok has really upped their games when it comes to sustainability. The company is now coming out with a wide variety of styles made with natural, eco-friendly materials, such as eucalyptus bark, algae, and natural rubber, and recycled materials, like recycled polyester. Visit Reebok to see the whole collection.
Buy at Reebok >>
5. adidas Parley Recycled Plastic Sneakers
adidas and Parley for the Oceans have created a successful collaboration that’s helping to keep plastic out of the ocean. About 80% of the debris that pollutes our oceans is plastic, which kills marine life. Parley intercepts coastal plastic waste before it gets into the ocean. Then, they convert the reclaimed plastic into threads, which adidas uses to make recycled shoes and active wear You can see adidas Parley flip flops in my recycled flip flops post.
6. Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney has been instrumental in bringing a higher level of consciousness to the high fashion industry. And her range of styles, from haute couture to street fashion to athletic wear, offers something for everyone. Via her partnership with adidas and Parley, she also offers great-looking athletic shoes that are made with recycled materials.
7. Indosole Recycled Tire Shoes
Started by surfer Kyle Parsons, San Francisco and Bali-based Indosole repurposes discarded tires and uses them in the soles of their vegan footwear line. Billions of used tires are discarded every year, which pollute waterways and other natural habitats.
Indosole is a certified B Corporation, which means it’s a for-profit company that’s certified by the nonprofit B Lab for maintaining rigorous social and environmental standards.
Here’s a video about Indosole’s production process in Bali:
You can see flip flops by Indosole in my recycled flip flops guide.
8. Nike Flyknit Recycled Running Shoes
Nike’s Flyknit material reduces production waste and helps to keep plastic bottles out of the ocean and landfill. They developed their flexible Flyknit material at the request of runners who wanted a shoe that fit like a sock.
9. Saolo Recycled and Vegan Shoes
Saolo makes cool street wear style shoes out of recycled materials, organic cotton, and harvested algae. The company designs their recycled shoes to be comfortable and lightweight. Plus, they add extra cushioning with sustainable cork insoles. Every pair of their shoes keeps 3-4 plastic bottles out of the landfill and ocean. Their shoes are also 100% vegan.
10. The North Face Recycled Shoes
The North Face is another major brand that is now incorporating recycled P.E.T. plastic into their shoes and clothing. These puffy camp slippers are lightweight, warm and comfy, perfect for camping trips or after a day or skiing or snowboarding. (For my vegan friends, they do use leather in some of their styles, so be sure to check the product details.)
11. MOVMT Recycled and Organic Cotton Shoes
The People’s Movement (MOVMT) is another socially conscious company that was founded by a surfer who couldn’t stand the amount of pollution he was running into in the ocean.
MOVMT makes their cool shoes with recycled plastic and other eco-friendly materials like organic cotton canvas. The result are stylish shoes that are casual and comfortable.
Here’s CEO Kevin Flanagan talking about the mission behind the People’s Movement:
12. Vivobarefoot Shoes
Vivobarefoot is all about going barefoot while still wearing shoes. The footwear maker creates their shoes with a flexible, eco-friendly canvas that’s made from 40% recycled P.E.T. plastic.
Buy on Amazon >
13. Etnies Recycled Rubber and Plastic Shoes
Etnies creates classic skate shoes with an eco-friendly twist. The skate wear company makes their shoes with recycled rubber outsoles. Plus, Etnies makes their padded insoles with recycled materials. Taking it a step further, they make the canvas uppers with recycled plastic.
Buy on Amazon >
14. Rothy’s Recycled Plastic Bottle Shoes
To date, Rothy’s has already repurposed 20 million plastic water bottles and recycled them into their popular and stylish flats. With some heavy hitter investors and fans like Meghan Markle, Rothy’s promises to bring recycled and sustainable footwear to the masses. A truly circular company, Rothy’s will recycle old shoes into new styles if you send them back to them.
15. Nothing New Recycled Shoes
Nothing New is a new brand on the scene that makes classic tennis shoes with recycled materials, including fishing nets, bottles, recycled cotton, and recycled rubber. Taking things “a step” further, Nothing New even makes the laces with recycled materials!
Price: ~$95.00 – $108.00
I am very happy that big brands are trying to use recycled plastic to make shoes.
Brands like Nike, Converse … are certainly influential on people’s choice and purchases.
So I fully agree with the campaign on environmental sustainability.
I also want to mention ACBC as a brand that makes eco-sustainable shoes, because there are many companies that are growing by focusing only on sustainability, using recycled and bio materials.
Hello Laura, Thanks for your message. I know the brand, but they use animal skin in their products, which I am wholeheartedly against (and UniGuide is a vegan blog.)
Their focus on sustainability is admirable, but there is no excuse for modern companies to exploit animals for their skin or other reasons. Today, there are so many other materials to choose from that are cruelty-free. I wrote about some of the groundbreaking ones in my post about vegan leather.
Personally, I’m not into upcycled leather either, because I think it perpetuates the leather market, but that’s my personal opinion. I can’t argue with people who wear vintage leather products because it keeps them out of the landfill and possibly stops people from buying new leather items. However, I personally don’t wear used leather goods either because, frankly, they creep me out. It’s someone else’s skin!! Thanks for the comment!
hi uniguide,
do really all of the companies there recycle plastic?
if so thank you very much.
kind regards,
ploy schoklitsch
Recycled plastic and/or other recycled and reclaimed materials, such as canvas. Thanks for writing!