With all the wear and tear that school shoes face daily, and the rate at which kids grow, there can be more than a few pairs of old school shoes lying around that we are unsure what to do with. 

If they are too beaten up to take to your local Op Shop, it’s time to consider recycling your old school shoes. By recycling school shoes that are no longer wearable, you’ll be able to sleep at night knowing that you have made a positive impact on the planet by reducing waste.

If it’s time to start clearing some space, read our post for some ideas on what to do with your kid’s old school shoes.

This should be everybody’s first option. Many second-hand shops take shoes, even if they are not in perfect condition. While they certainly would prefer shoes that have just been outgrown rather than worn out, even shoes with some minor wear can be donated. If you are unsure, check with the Op Shop prior to donating school shoes to make sure that they will take, and be able to resell shoes that have been pre-loved.

Donating old school shoes is a great way to contribute to a sustainable future, while also giving those a little less fortunate the opportunity to buy some heavily discounted shoes.  Don’t just throw them into the trash, give them a new lease on life and be part of the solution.

Our recommended first option is to donate old school shoes to an Op Shop, or perhaps somebody you know. However, if they are no longer wearable, it’s time to think about what to do with them in a way that doesn’t just involve throwing them into the trash.

There are many places that have recycling programs in place for footwear of all kinds, including leather school shoes. These places will take your old school shoes and use the materials that are still in good condition to make new products. Jump online and search for a shoe recycling centre near you and be a part of some positive change.

The short answer to this question is no. Leather shoes, or any footwear as a rule should not go into your recycling bin. These bins are reserved for paper, glass, and aluminium. Check the lid of your recycling bin for a better idea of what you can and cannot throw into your bin.

There you have it. If you are stuck with a box full of old school shoes that are taking up some valuable space in your home, first consider donation them to your local thrift shop, or if they are too beaten up, get online and find a place that will reuse the materials and turn them into a new product.