Footwear Futures Project
The Footwear Collective launched the Footwear Futures Project to evaluate and scale circular solutions for the footwear industry. Through on-the-ground partnerships, the project collects used footwear, keeps wearable pairs in circulation, and advances pathways for recycling and material recovery.
The
Footwear
Collective
We’re building the future of footwear circularity.
And we need your help!
We’re building the future of footwear circularity.
And we need your help!
30,525lbs of footwear collected!
30,525 pounds.
Around 26,500 pairs.
A continuous line of shoes stretching for nearly 5 miles.
Collected last October across 50 Goodwill Southern California locations in Los Angeles, this effort is helping us understand what it will take to keep footwear in circulation and build a scalable, shared system for end-of-life footwear.
Our Plan
1. Collect (a lot) of Shoes
Our goal is to collect 30,000lbs of used footwear through our partnership with Goodwill Southern California. Bring your used shoes to participating locations (see map above) all October.
2. Sort
Shoes directed to the Footwear Futures Project will be aggregated at the end of October and sent to our sortation partner for sortation, analysis, and data collection.
3. Test
Sorted shoes will be sent to our network of innovators who will test new methods for separating materials and exploring circular solutions.
Check back for updates on our progress!!
The Project in Action
April 2026
Step 4:
Circular Material Recovery
Collected footwear is being distributed to 3 material processing partners, FastFeet Grinded, Supercircle, and TerraCycle, each bringing distinct approaches to processing end-of-life footwear and recovering material value.
Dec 25′ – Mar 26′
Step 3: Sortation and Data Collection
Homeboy Threads sorted, studied, and prepared the collected shoes for processing, generating critical insights into the materials, condition, and archetypes present in a community collection at this scale.
Oct 25′ – Nov 25′
Step 2: Resale
Footwear in good, wearable condition was offered for sale through Goodwill SoCal’s existing resale stores and outlets, keeping shoes in circulation and out of landfills.
October 2025
Step 1: Shoe Collection
Consumers across Los Angeles brought shoes- any brand, any condition- to 50 participating Goodwill Southern California locations.
Project Partners
SHOE COLLECTION AND RESALE
SORTATION AND DATA COLLECTION
CIRCULAR MATERIAL RECOVERY
The
Footwear
Collective
Your Shoe Stories
Tell us about your shoes! As part of this project, we are collecting the stories of shoes from around the world.
Whether you’re in L.A. or anywhere else, grab a pair–any pair–and share the moments, memories, and adventures that make them yours!
Why this is a different kind of movement:
– We’re experts. But humble ones.
At the end of the day, this program is about progress, not perfection. We embrace imperfect action, stay open to learning, and keep iterating as we go.
– We’re hyper-focused on footwear.
It’s complex enough as it is. We’re being smart with our time & resources to maximize our impact.
– We’ll share our progress
We’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest and what we learn, here on our website. You’re part of our team now. The goal is to collect 30,000lbs of shoes through Goodwill Southern California’s locations.
– We’re proudly partnering with Goodwill.
A leader in sustainability and social impact. They’re also everywhere (82% of us live within 10 miles of a Goodwill).
– It’s not all on you.
We’ve recruited like-minded brands who aren’t afraid to collaborate with their competitors and champion this movement.
About
The Footwear Collective
We’re a group of industry experts figuring out how to build a circular future for footwear, which (spoiler alert) is better for the planet and better for business. We’re driving collaboration by doing something unprecedented – bringing brands together who are usually competitors and uniting them under a shared goal: scoping, developing, and scaling circular solutions.
Our Members
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Footwear Futures Project only accept brands that are members of The Footwear Collective?
Not at all! We welcome shoes from any brand–all are eligible for rescue.
Where can I donate my shoes?
Currently, shoes can be dropped off at participating Goodwill Southern California locations (see the map above). Just bring your shoes to the designated donation site, typically located at the back of the store.
Can I only bring shoes?
While the Footwear Futures Project is focused specifically on footwear circularity, our partner Goodwill Southern California accepts a wide range of items–including clothing, accessories, electronics, books, and household goods. So feel free to bring more than just shoes when you donate! Your additional items will help support Goodwill’s mission to provide job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs.
I’m not in Los Angeles, CA. Can I still participate?
Right now, the program is focused on Los Angeles residents, but we’re expanding soon! Follow us on Instagram or check our website regularly for updates on new drop-off locations and upcoming collection events. In the meantime, you can still tell us about your shoes here—your input helps us grow the movement and shape future opportunities.
What condition do my shoes need to be in?
We accept shoes in any condition! Our partner, Goodwill Southern California, will evaluate each pair to determine whether they can be resold and reused, or whether they’ll be sent into our recycling trials—all in support of advancing footwear circularity.
Donate your shoes
When All October long
Where Select Goodwills in L.A. County
What Any & all shoes (seriously)
And that’s it! We’ll take care of the rest.
