<p>The recent revelation by Reuters that running shoes donated for recycling in Singapore ended up in Indonesian second-hand markets is disappointing news. ("<a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-plastic-dow-shoes/"><i>Dow said it was recycling our shoes. We found them at an Indonesian flea market</i></a><i>.</i>")</p><blockquote><p>This is not only bad for this particular initiative, but it erodes confidence in all recycling efforts.</p></blockquote><p>Although some shoes were cherry-picked and resold, there is no clarity on the fate of the rest. In fact there is no transparency at all.</p><p>In addition, importing second hand clothes and shoes is illegal in Indonesia. “<i>Such cast-offs pose a public health risk, undercut its local textile industry and often pile more waste into its already bulging landfills</i>,” <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-plastic-dow-shoes/#:~:text=such%20cast%2Doffs%20pose%20a%20public%20health%20risk%2C%20undercut%20its%20local%20textile%20industry%20and%20often%20pile%20more%20waste%20into%20its%20already%20bulging%20landfills">said a local official</a>.</p><h3><strong>Isn't re-use better than recycling?</strong></h3><p>Is it good that <i>some </i>shoes will see a second life instead of being recycled?&nbsp;</p><p>This framing misses the bigger issues:</p><ol><li>Just because some shoes were selected to be resold, doesn't mean all were: only the best will have this fate.</li><li>Other shoes may have been dumped, burned or even become part of the massive regional problem of marine pollution.</li><li>Lack of transparency means we have no idea how many shoes, if any, were recycled.</li><li>Likewise we don't know how many donated shoes have become waste in Indonesia.</li><li>But mostly, this undermines public trust in all recycling efforts.</li></ol><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.recyclopedia.sg/strapi-assets/retuers_e1213cafeb.jpg" alt="It's not uncommon to throw out half the shoes"></figure><h3><strong>Fool me once, shame on you.&nbsp;</strong></h3><p>News that the shoe donations were misused and that there was inadequate oversight to ensure the programme delivered on its promises, feels like yet another case of greenwashing.</p><p>This is not only bad for this particular initiative, but it erodes confidence in all recycling efforts.</p><p>This news is disheartening for those who work hard to promote recycling and encourage people to recycle. Many individuals are already cynical about recycling, believing that it is not worth the effort because it is all a lie. Unfortunately, this time, they were right, and that's a shame.</p><h3><strong>So How?</strong></h3><p>We hope that efforts will be made to regain public trust by providing clear and transparent accounts of the initiative, implementing audit controls, and holding those responsible accountable. It is also our hope that this incident will spark a new era of transparency in recycling. Ensuring transparency and auditing of the recycling process for waste materials when they leave the country can help people believe that recycling is a legitimate effort.</p><h3><strong>Epilogue</strong></h3><p><a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/sportsg-and-partners-apologise-after-lapse-in-shoe-recycling-project-uncovered">SportSG, partners apologise for ‘lapse’ in shoe-recycling project</a>.</p>

medium_running-shoe-saga.jpg

small_running-shoe-saga.jpg

thumbnail_running-shoe-saga.jpg

running-shoe-saga.jpg

Why shoes being resold instead of recycled is a problem

<p>Can shoes be recycled? It depends!</p><h3><strong>Sports Shoes: Yes</strong></h3><p>IF the shoe is rubberised (ie has a rubber soul) then they can be recycled into sports tracks via the national <a href="/resources/running-shoe-donation-drive">sports shoe recycling programme</a>. Bins are located all over the island.&nbsp;</p><p>More info: <a href="/items/sports-shoes">Sports Shoes</a></p><h3><strong>Shoes in Good Condition: Yes</strong></h3><p>Most shoes cannot actually be “recycled” (ie broken down for reuse).&nbsp;</p><p>But typically when people say they want to “recycle shoes” they usually mean they want to donate them for reuse.&nbsp;</p><p>Great! But this is only possible when shoes are in very good condition. Singapore has a lot of waste shoes and charities get overwhelmed with donations that are unsuitable to be resold for fundraising or passed on to beneficiaries. So when making a donation,<i> please be considerate.&nbsp;</i></p><p>More info: <a href="/items/shoes">Other Shoes &amp; Boots</a></p><h3><strong>Shoes in Poor Condition: No</strong></h3><p>If they are neither rubberised or in good condition, throw those shoes in the trash.</p>

medium_shoe-recycling-singapore.jpg

small_shoe-recycling-singapore.jpg

thumbnail_shoe-recycling-singapore.jpg

shoe-recycling-singapore.jpg

Can Shoes be Recycled in Singapore?

<p><strong>Donate running shoes, including children’s running shoes in clean and reusable condition to Soles4Souls Asia via Project Love Sneaker by Running Lab&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Where:</strong> all Running Lab stores, except the IMM outlet.</li><li><strong>When:</strong> 1 to 30 April 2023</li><li><strong>Why:</strong> Donated shoes will be redistributed by <a href="https://soles4souls.org/asia/">Soles 4 Souls Asia</a> an international charity that <a href="https://soles4souls.org/free-distribution/">helps people facing crisis and economic hardship</a></li><li><strong>Bonus:</strong> you get a $50 Running Lab shoe voucher for every pair of preloved running shoes you donate in good condition.</li></ul><p><strong>More info</strong>: <a href="https://www.runninglab.com/project-love-sneaker">Project Love Sneaker</a></p><h3><strong>Shoes which are acceptable</strong></h3><p>Clean &amp; reusable running shoes, with all parts intact, and with original insoles and laces.</p><ul><li>running shoes, including children’s running shoes.</li><li>sports shoes such as badminton court shoes, basketball shoes, soccer shoes, and army running shoes.</li></ul><h3><strong>Shoes which NOT are acceptable</strong></h3><ul><li>Shoes with holes on outsoles or upper of shoes are NOT acceptable.</li><li>Shoes with worn-out outsoles are NOT acceptable.Canvas shoes (e.g. Converse / Vans) are NOT acceptable.</li><li>Spikes shoes (e.g. Soccer Boots) are NOT acceptable.</li><li>Rubber shoes (e.g. Crocs) are NOT acceptable.</li><li>Boots or heady-duty shoes are NOT acceptable.</li></ul><h3><strong>Drop at these locations:</strong></h3><ul><li>Running Lab Velocity@Novena Square, #01-47</li><li>Running Lab Marina Square, #02-26</li><li>Running Lab Westgate, #03-14/15</li><li>Running Lab Tampines Mall, #02-16B</li><li>Running Lab VivoCity, #02-77</li></ul><p><br>&nbsp;</p>

medium_love-sneaker.jpg

small_love-sneaker.jpg

thumbnail_love-sneaker.jpg

love-sneaker.jpg

[Ended] [#13] Until End April: Project Love Sneaker 2023

<ul><li><strong>Where: </strong>470 Upper Paya Lebar Rd, 534235</li><li><strong>When: </strong>Mon - Sun 10am - 5pm</li><li><strong>Contact for more info</strong>: <a href="/freecycling/it-s-raining-raincoats">ItsRainingRaincoats</a><br>&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li><strong>What: </strong>We are currently running low on&nbsp;<ul><li>men's clothes &amp; shoes,&nbsp;</li><li>kitchen appliances,&nbsp;</li><li>umbrellas,&nbsp;</li><li>1.5L water bottles,&nbsp;</li><li>table fans &amp;&nbsp;</li><li>toiletries!&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul><p>We accept both new and preloved items in optimal and good working condition.</p><h3><strong>Message from It'sRainingRaincoats:</strong></h3><p>It has been 7 months since we have opened <strong>inspIRRe </strong>- our free store for migrant workers. It’s been a HUGE hit and items are running off the shelves as more than 200 workers benefit every week.</p><p>This means the shelves have to be restocked regularly and that’s where YOU can come in!</p><p>Please DM us on Facebook or Instagram if you would like to donate any items.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><p>More info:</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><div style="width:50%; margin-top: 20px">
<a class="btn m-0" href="https://www.facebook.com/itsrainingraincoats/videos/149496574441119/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-projection-id="96" style="opacity:1">
Facebook
<i class="text-xs ml-2 far fa-external-link-alt"></i>
</a>
</div>
<div style="width:50%; margin-top: 20px">
<a class="btn m-0" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqfX_dMsKtq/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-projection-id="96" style="opacity:1">
Instagram
<i class="text-xs ml-2 far fa-external-link-alt"></i>
</a>
</div>
</div>

Sports Shoes

Recyclable?

Blue Bins & Chutes

Other Recycling

Recommended

Freecycle / Give Away

Its Raining Raincoats

Cloop Life Line Bins

Kloth Cares Bins Singapore

Greensquare

Ten Feet Tall Shoe Bank

Soles4Souls Asia (closed)

Alternative

Repair

Repair Stalls in Hawker Centres

Info & Insights

Similar Items

Yoga Mats

Old Tennis Balls

Medals and Trophies

Sports Equipment

Reusable Water Bottles & Flasks

Read more

[Ended] [#24] Wanted: Men's Clothes, Kitchen appliances, and more

Can Shoes be Recycled in Singapore?

[Ended] [#13] Until End April: Project Love Sneaker 2023

Why shoes being resold instead of recycled is a problem

Report Error / Provide Feedback