Shimano is starting to collect and recycle used shoes. All shoes handed in at one of the 45 drop-off points will not end up in residual waste, but will be given a second life as coat hangers, picnic tables or sports floors. The Japanese company sees this as a small but important step in making the chain more sustainable, which is good for the environment and for consumers; anyone who hands in their old pair of shoes when buying new ones gets the cleats for free.
Protect our playground, join the recyling movement!
Like you, we love the world we cycle in. That's why Shimano is putting its best foot forward to protect that world even more. It is stepping forward by joining forces with FastFeetGrinded and launching a shoe recycling programme. With help from this Dutch company, raw materials such as foam, rubber and textiles can be effectively separated by grinding old shoes in a sustainable way.
Read also: Shimano vs Campagnolo vs SRAM: What are the differences?
Recycling and reuse
Some 24 billion pairs of sports shoes are produced every year. That's 48 billion shoes packed with reusable materials. By incorporating worn-out sports shoes into new products, we prevent them from ending up in residual waste and give them a second life.
During the recycling process, the various materials are separated and then given a second life as sports flooring, picnic table, shoe shelf or coat hanger. Through smart production, these products consist almost entirely of old shoes (85%) and bio-based materials. So we not only reduce waste, but also reduce the need for new raw materials.
Every sports shoe counts
The more shoes get a second life, the bigger the impact. That is why we are giving free cleats to anyone who turns in their old shoes now with the purchase of a new pair of Shimano shoes.Turning in your old shoes (be they cycling shoes, sports shoes or sneakers) is very easy at any of the 45 drop-off points in the Netherlands. We take care of the rest.
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