Did you know that your old shoes and clothes could be worth more than you think? Recycling them isn’t just good for the planet—it can also be a hidden source of profit. Here’s how it works.
When you think about recycling clothes, you might imagine donating them to charity, but there’s a whole business around taking worn-out shoes and clothes and turning them into something valuable. Clothes that can no longer be worn are often shredded and turned into rags, insulation, or even furniture stuffing. Shoes, on the other hand, can be refurbished, resold, or broken down for their materials like rubber, leather, and textiles, which are used to make new products.
Some companies focus on taking unwanted shoes and clothes, cleaning, repairing, and reselling them to second-hand stores. Others take clothes that are too damaged and break them down for their raw materials to be reused in other industries, making the process even more profitable. Even damaged shoes can be sold to specialized companies that recycle the materials for other uses, like playground surfaces or building materials.
By partnering with recycling programs or running your own collection and resale business, you can make money while also helping reduce waste. It’s a win-win—profitable and sustainable.