Our Background

Established in 1993, we are probably the only specialist shoe recyclers in the United Kingdom. Based in Croydon , we now employ over 40 people, many of whom were previously unemployed. Our aim is to enable everybody in the UK to recycle their shoes. We work with many retailers and local authorities throughout the United Kingdom.

As a result of the phenomenal response from the public to our unusual initiative we are now able to support the Variety Club Children’s Charity, who benefit from your recycled shoes.

Each and every year in the United Kingdom over 330 million pairs of new shoes are bought, later they will be discarded. Some will be incinerated. Most end up on rubbish dumps. The materials used in making shoes are not normally biodegradable and our rubbish dumps are rapidly running out of space. When incinerated they can release harmful dioxins.

There are clear environmental benefits in recycling unwanted shoes. Shoes can be deposited in the specially designed collection units at participating outlets. Shoes that can be reconditioned and reused are sold to companies and individuals in developing countries and Eastern Europe who repair and refurbish the shoes and then sell them on at affordable prices to those who otherwise would go without.

The scheme is self-funding, professionally organized and achieves very worthwhile objectives. It provides a means of earning a living in countries where opportunities are sparse and the alternative is reliance on charity hand-outs; it is creating employment opportunities in the UK, and by recycling your shoes you are also helping the Variety Club, which exists to improve the lives of sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.

The prime aim however, is to eliminate shoes ending up in rubbish dumps or being incinerated when there is still useful life in them. The benefit to the community is that precious landfill space is preserved and the environment protected.