The excitement has always been the driving force behind sneaker culture, which has grown to be a $70 billion industry thanks to limited releases, long lines, and never-ending partnerships. However, shoe companies are making an effort to improve their practices as the fashion industry moves towards sustainability. Many brands, including Louis Vuitton and Adidas, have begun to use recycled materials. The mounds of used trainers that are accumulating in landfills, however, are a larger issue.

The Recycling Problem

Every year, Australia imports 25 million pairs of sneakers, yet 90% of them don’t get recycled. Why? Because most sneakers are nearly impossible to break down. They’re made from a mix of plastics, leather, rubber, foam, and metal, all glued together. That means they can take up to 1,000 years to decompose—so chances are, every pair you’ve ever owned is still out there somewhere.

While certain initiatives, such as repurposing old trainers to create playground floors and basketball courts, are beneficial, they are not ideal. Making trainers that can be completely recycled into new ones is the true objective.

The Push for Circular Sneakers

This is what major companies like Nike and Salomon, as well as upstarts like Thousand Fell, are aiming for. However, creating a recyclable trainer is only the first step; encouraging customers to return their used shoes is the true obstacle.

In order to address the issue, the American company Thousand Fell created trainers that are simple to disassemble. They employ ether foam, polyester, rubber, and bioplastics made from sugarcane and coconut husks. Every material has three options: composting, repurposing for other items, or recycling into new shoes.

Salomon took a different approach, simplifying their Index.01 sneaker to just two materials: a polyester upper and a TPU sole. When returned, the TPU is recycled into ski boot parts, but they haven’t figured out what to do with the polyester yet—it’s currently sitting in storage.

Swiss running brand On took it even further, creating the Cloudneo—a sneaker made entirely from one material: castor bean plastic. This thermoplastic can be recycled endlessly, making it one of the most sustainable sneakers on the market.

The Challenge of Getting Sneakers Back

The biggest hurdle isn’t designing recyclable sneakers—it’s making sure they don’t end up in the trash. Thousand Fell offers customers a $20 credit for every old pair returned, while Salomon relies on consumers returning them voluntarily.

On, however, has a different strategy: you can’t buy the Cloudneo, only subscribe to it. For $29.99 a month, customers get as many pairs as they need, but they must send the old ones back before getting a new pair. This ensures sneakers stay in circulation instead of ending up in landfills.

The Future of Sustainable Sneakers

While recyclable trainers are a big start in the right direction, longer-lasting trainers are the hallmark of true sustainability. Both customers and brands should choose durability over following the next fad. Perhaps we should all strive for the future that Salomon’s Olivier Mouzin describes: “My dream would’ve been to double the lifespan of this shoe.”