How to Reuse Your Old Footwear?

Do you feel sad about throwing away old shoes? Do you know you can convert your old footwear into sustainable footwear by adding a pinch of creativity? If you are a footwear fanatic who loves to hoard shoes and try out new designs but do not want to purchase a new one, you can give it an all-new look by upcycling it.

This article discusses how to reuse an old footwear, along with sharing new tips to give it a unique look.

 

What To Do With an Old Pair of Footwear?

Old footwear can be used in different ways than discarding it. If you are in a dilemma of what to do with old pair of footwear, then here are techniques to deal with it:

Restore, Recycle and Repurpose/Upcycle.

 

Restore

• Consider using different shoes and rotate several pairs you own to avoid them from wearing off
• Store the footwear in a dry place without humidity
• Avoid storing in a place with excess heat or temperature
• Avoid using shoes in muddy areas

 

Recycle

• If your footwear is completely worn out and made of recyclable materials like fabrics, you can recycle them instead of throwing them. The benefits include:
• Reduce dumping waste in the landfills
• Reduce carbon footprints
• Donate the shoes to needy

 

Repurpose/ Upcycle

• Repurposing or upcycling is the method of using discarded materials and converting them into a newer product.
• Upcycling is the method that enables users to repurpose old shoes and convert them into newly designed footwear, adding a personal touch to it.

 

Can You Reuse Footwear?

 

Yes, footwear can be reused if they are not completely worn down. For example, old shoes made of rubber and fabric can be upcycled into an enhanced form, adding a blend of creativity. Thus, the same is used for building new footwear or shoe instead of breaking down the materials.

 

The process of upcycling is as follows:

• Collect all discarded materials like fabrics, tyres, rubbers and papers
• Add newer elements like paint, laces, etc to create a new product
• It does not involve breaking down the materials
• It converts the old products into a newer form with higher quality

 

What are Upcycled Footwear Materials?

Upcycled footwear is made of waste products derived from scrap. These include anything and everything from old fabrics, waste tyres, rubber and much more. Rather than destroying the materials to form a new output, they are used to create a new product of higher quality with its own identity. It thereby reduces waste and converts them into much sustainable items.

 

Why Should You Upcycle Your Footwear?

Upcycling involves using creativity and imagination to turn them into newer forms. For instance, you can turn old shoes into sandals that are not torn and add more contemporary elements to enhance their look. Nowadays, many people are opting for upcycled, sustainable, earth-friendly shoes. 

The process does not harm the environment, nor does it use any new resources or materials to create a new one. Thus, if you are a vegan and want to opt for materials that do not include animal items, then upcycled is for you.

In short, upcycling footwear is one of the best ways to give your old shoes a new look and convert them into striking designs.

 

What are the Benefits of Reusing/Upcycling Footwear?

Upcycling helps you use your imagination to design higher-quality sustainable footwear. In addition, the environmental benefits are immense in the case of upcycled footwear, reducing the need to send waste to landfill.

• Upcycling old shoes or waste minimizes the need to use natural resources. Thus, we do not need newer materials to make a new product and thereby reduce waste.
• It saves the landfills from getting clogged with waste materials but reuses them into a new form.
• It encourages creativity. Every upcycled shoe is handmade footwear crafted by expert artisans who get the chance to showcase their craftsmanship.
• Upcycling is also economically beneficial that supports small businesses to make their living.
• It reduces manufacturing costs by reclaiming the products that are thrown away.
• Upcycled footwear is unique and one of a kind.

 

Tips to Upcycle Old Footwear

• Give the footwear a new look by adding fresh paint
• Use new laces by removing the old ones
• Add patches wherever it is torn
• Stitch the patches to the shoes
• Add new fabric over the old ones, especially in closed sandals or open-toe sandals.
• Add laces to the old sandals or low-heeled sandals to give them a stylish look.
• Add rubber sole to sandals to give it a comfortable disposition.
• Use fabric paints or sequins to decorate the old footwear.

 

Tips to Get Rid of Old Footwear in a Sustainable Way

Do you have a pair or two of old footwear worn out? There is no need to throw them off, which will get deposited in landfills, thereby preventing unnecessary waste.

Products like rubber and tyres take years to decompose, which is not a sustainable solution. So instead, here are ways you can reuse the old shoes:

• Recycle and Reuse your old footwear: Not all footwear can be reused. Herein, you can recycle your shoes to create something new. 

• Upcycle: You can give it a new look by upcycling the footwear. Giving a personalized look by adding new laces and paint will save you from throwing the shoe.

• Donate it: If you are not interested in giving the shoe a new look but is still wearable, you can repurpose the footwear by donating it.

 

Best Upcycled + Sustainable Footwear Brand in India

Are you looking out for a footwear brand that deals in upcycled shoes? Paaduks is one the renowned brands known for their eco friendly vegan shoes. These are stylish and sustainable vegan shoes made using discarded waste materials like rubbers, jute, cotton,cork and tyres. We are dedicated to converting waste tyres into eco-friendly shoes in different styles like sandals, flats, 20 mm low-heels and knitted footwear.

The peculiarity of Paaduks footwear include:

• It is handcrafted by artisans
• It is procured using waste tyres
• It is 100% Vegan
• It is eco-friendly
• It aids in cleaning the environment of discarded tyres from ending up in the landfills
• It uses tyre corks for heels and soft padding to make it easy to walk.

 

Conclusion

As the saying goes, ‘old is gold,’ it fits true for footwear too. Upcycling footwear or reusing old footwear is one of the most sustainable ways to contribute to the environment and upgrade the product to a newer version of higher quality than its original.