Treadlightly

Choosing to Partner with Treadlightly

THE PROBLEM

Millions of shoes end up in landfill each year. These shoes contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution by emitting chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

To protect our planet, we must reduce emissions in line with the 1.5C pathway and minimise negative impacts on biodiversity.

OUR SOLUTION

We’ve been partnering with TreadLightly since 2021, who use the materials from the shoes you recycle with us to create new industrial products. You can learn more about them here.

You can also check out your closest FRANKIE4 Concept Store and bring in any shoes to recycle next time you visit us.

Have more questions?

How can I recycle my shoes?

Recycling your shoes with us is easy. Simply drop off your items at any of our concept stores around Australia in QLD, VIC, NSW, or SA. You can also post your shoes to our HQ, and we'll recycle them for you:

FRANKIE4 - Recycling

260 Moggill Road, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068

Can I recycle shoes that aren't FRANKIE4s?

Yes—we accept any pair of sneakers or other eligible shoes from all brands to recycle, not just your well-used, favorite pairs of FRANKIE4s. Our recycling partner accepts the following styles: athletic lifestyle shoes, any sports branded shoes, thongs and slides, football boots, leather sports shoes, hiking boots, sneakers, runners, golf shoes, formal leather school shoes. For more information, click here.

Why should I recycle my shoes?

Hundreds of thousands of shoes end up in Australian landfill every single year. Shoe components take forever to breakdown and can still leave behind plastics and toxic chemicals that pollute our planet. Landfills produce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change, and negatively affect our flora and fauna in numerous ways.

So—what’s the alternative?

Recycling shoes is a challenging task—and there’s only a few providers in the world that can do it well. We’re proud to partner with TreadLightly, an industry-led initiative powered by the Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA), and recycler Save our Soles (SOS).

Can I bring in other items, like bags or wallets?

Unfortunately, we’re unable to accept any items other than shoes currently. If you have clothing, bags, or jewelry that can be reused, we recommend selling your items on Facebook Marketplace or Depop. We’ll let you know if we start accepting other items in the future.

I have some fluffy slippers, can I recycle those?

Our recycling partner can process most kinds of shoes—except completely fluffy slippers. Styles with a shearling lining can be recycled, too.

What are my shoes being recycled into?

Reusable components from your shoes (like leather, rubber, and other fibers) are used to manufacture products like gym mats, flooring, and playgrounds. We’ll also keep you updated on any new recycling initiatives, such as exploring more ways to turn old FRANKIE4s into new FRANKIE4s—the ultimate in revolutionary style.

Can I still recycle my shoes if I don't live in Australia?

Stay tuned. We’re in the process of finding a recycling partner for our NZ customers across the pond soon. For our US customers, find out more about our partnership with Ridwell here.

Recycle Your Well-Loved Pairs with FRANKIE4

How It Works

1

LEAVE IT

2

RECYCLE IT

3

PROCESS IT

4

REUSE IT