After the Industry giant Decathlon Shimano is also setting an example for more sustainability in cycling with the introduction of its shoe recycling programme in Germany. Since April, cyclists have been able to hand in their old trainers to participating specialist retailers for recycling. Over 50 retailers nationwide, including branches of B.O.C and Zweirad Stadler, have already joined the programme and set up recycling boxes in their shops.
Shimano is working with the Dutch specialist FastFeetGrinded to implement the recycling programme. The company has developed a method for recycling old cycling and sports shoes in an environmentally friendly way. The different materials, such as foam, textiles and rubber, are efficiently separated from each other. This approach makes it possible to utilise the valuable raw materials for the manufacture of new products. The recycling programme is part of Shimano's "Protect Our Playground" initiative. In this way, the manufacturer wants to make a contribution to protecting the environment and sustainably preserve the places that cyclists discover with their bikes. The reuse of materials from old shoes plays a central role in this.
Shimano: Recycling and reuse
The dimensions of the footwear market illustrate the potential of the recycling programme: around 24 billion pairs of sports shoes are produced every year. This equates to 48 billion pairs of shoes containing a variety of reusable materials. Recycling allows these raw materials to be transformed into new products instead of ending up in landfill sites or incineration plants. After the recycling process, the recycled materials are used in a variety of ways. For example, they are used to make sports flooring, picnic tables, shoe racks or clothes hangers. Thanks to intelligent production methods, the majority (85 per cent) of these new items are made from recycled shoes and bio-based materials. This not only reduces the amount of waste, but also minimises the need for new raw materials.
Wide range of recyclable shoes
Shimano's recycling programme is not limited to specific brands or shoe types. All types of sports shoes, whether cycling, running or trekking shoes, can be returned to participating dealers. The condition of the shoes does not matter - even heavily worn shoes are suitable for recycling. This openness is intended to lower the inhibition threshold and motivate as many cyclists as possible to take part.
Incentive for customers
To create an additional incentive for participation in the recycling programme, Shimano has launched a special campaign: Anyone buying a new pair of Shimano shoes who also hands in old shoes for recycling will receive a free pair of cleats (either SPD or SPD-SL) as a thank you. This campaign emphasises the company's desire to raise awareness of sustainability in cycling and at the same time create concrete added value for customers.
Easy participation through dealer network
To make participation in the recycling programme as easy as possible, Shimano has created an interactive map of all participating dealers. This is available on the website bike.shimano.com can be called up. Interested parties can quickly and easily find a retailer near them where they can hand in their used shoes. According to Shimano, the steadily growing number of participating shops shows that the programme is meeting with a positive response from both retailers and customers.
Marc Strucken
Editor
