# What to Do with Old Shoes: Recycle, Donate, Repurpose

**By Sole Mate** · 2026-06-02

Most of us have a pile of shoes we no longer wear. Before they hit the bin, here are better options — and how to buy in a way that creates less of that pile in future.

## What to do with old shoes

-   **Donate** wearable pairs to charities or shoe banks.
-   **Recycle** worn-out shoes through footwear recycling schemes where available.
-   **Repurpose** — old sandals can become garden or beach shoes.

## Why it matters

Footwear is hard to recycle and a lot ends up in landfill. Keeping shoes in use longer — and buying fewer, better pairs — is the simplest way to cut waste.

## Buy in a way that creates less waste

This is the thinking behind a modular sandal: keep one durable base and swap a lightweight top when you want a new look, instead of replacing whole pairs. [See our sustainable footwear guide](/blogs/news/sustainable-footwear-guide) · [build your set](/pages/build-your-set).

## FAQ

**Can sandals be recycled?** Some can via dedicated schemes; donate wearable ones first.

**How do I buy less?** Choose versatile, durable styles you'll wear often. [See the bases →](/collections/base-mates)

**Tags:** how to, sustainability

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> Source: [Sole Mate](solemate.ae/blogs/news/what-to-do-with-old-shoes)