Design complexity blocks footwear circularity

AMSTERDAM – Half of all post-consumer footwear collected in Europe is non-rewearable and most ends up incinerated or in landfill, according to a new report that provides what is described as the most detailed analysis to date of post-consumer shoe waste streams.

The report notes how the global footwear industry produces around 23.8 billion pairs annually, yet approximately 90% of discarded shoes are landfilled or incinerated.