Crocs Recycling

Crocs are made from a patented material called Croslite. This is a foam resin that is both slip resistant and non marking. The shoes were originally designed for boating, however the appeal of a low cost light weight shoe, available in a wide spectrum of colors, shapes and sizes had a much wider appeal. In addition to being non slip, the material is also said to be anti-bacterial.

People largely fall into two camps when it comes to Crocs, they either love them or hate them, but whichever side of the divide you fall the high volume of sales is testament to their popularity.

What are the Options for Crocs Recycling?

Many people are now wondering what the options are for Crocs recycling. With so many pairs being bought, worn and eventually worn out, knowing what to do with these shoes is becoming an important question for green living Croc owners.

The first option is to see whether there is any wear left in the shoes and if so, to offer them to charities. Crocs can be put in the washing machine and therefore it is possible to clean them and ensure they are in good condition before passing them on. The non-slip nature of the soles means that they are particularly good for people who are not too steady on their feet. Many local charities will happily take good clean clothes and shoes so these might be a good place to start.

If there is definitely no life left in the Crocs then other options need to be found, other than just throwing them out and leaving them to lie in landfill sites.

Return to Crocs

It is reported to be possible to return Crocs to the Head Office in Boulder, Colorado where the old Crocs are shredded and turned into flooring for playgrounds. It should be noticed that there is no confirmation of this on the official Crocs website.

Before returning any shoes to Crocs it would be useful to confirm the position with their customer service team.

Other Recycling

As Crocs are made from a single material, recycling these shoes should be easier than shoes made of several different materials. However, different authorities have different rules on the recycling of plastics and it is necessary to check whether they are able to recycle these shoes.

Other Uses

With some creative thought, old Crocs could be used around the house and garden. The bright color and waterproof nature of the shoes means that they make handy bird scarers. Tie a pair to a fruit tree and the sight of brightly colored shoes dangling in the wind will make a bird think twice about eating the fruit.

Crocs also make unusual planters. Fill the toes with some planting compost and pop in a bulb or two. Hammer the heel into the wall and after a few weeks the shoes should be gracing a plant or two.

Crocs and Other Green Issues

Most Crocs are manufactured in China. There are obviously green issues here, as the number of miles that the shoes travel before they are sold obviously leaves a significant carbon footprint.

When considering shoes, like so much of green living, a compromise has to be made. Single component shoes like Crocs at least are recyclable, shoes made from many different materials are costly and inefficient to recycle and therefore end up in landfills. However the question over where they are manufactured and what the options really are for recycling need to be taken into consideration..