I’ve lost count of the number of welly boots my family has churned through over the years. Which set me wondering: what happens to old wellies once you don’t want or need them any more?
We’ve all owned a pair of wellies. My current Hunter wellies have been going strong for about 15 years – and my daughter has inherited their predecessors.
Meanwhile, a cheapo Decathlon pair are doing sterling service as my rowing wellies, and shorty Joules wellies keep my feet dry while gardening.
Wellies are hard to recycle
Even when your wellies are made from certified eco-sourced rubber, mixing rubber with other materials during manufacture unfortunately makes them difficult to recycle when discarded.
It’s even worse for old wellies made from materials like PVC. Recycling of synthetics is still in its early days; they take hundreds of years to decompose in landfill and emit toxins when incinerated.
So choose carefully when you buy. Purchase pre-loved if you can, and never put old wellies in the bin: waste dumps are among the worst places they can end up. If there’s any life in them – no leaks, intact tread – try selling them via WhoSki.com or donate to a worthy cause.
Are your old wellies fit for re-sale?
If you are selling on or donating your unwanted old wellies, check that they are in good condition without cracks or damage that might leak. Make sure the soles are still in good shape, with tread robust enough to prevent slipping in mud or on wet surfaces.
When taking pics of your wellies for listing on WhoSki.com, photograph these details. If they are patterned, make sure the image is clear with no background clutter, to help bring your listing to life.
Eco-rubber boots
Remember: rubber comes from plants. Choosing wellies with FSC (Forest Stewardship Certification) means you can be certain the rubber comes from a sustainable source.
Wellington boot manufacturers which use FSC-certified natural rubber include Hunter Boots (which, sadly, went into administration earlier this year) and Lakeland.
Welly recycling options
If your wellies are too clapped-out to sell on, then check out local recycling point options. Try the recycle now site.
The French brand Aigle is a spendy option – warning, expensive! – but their boots are among the most sustainable you can buy and are guaranteed to last. Find out more.
Buy well to avoid welly waste
Keeping old wellies in active usage as long as they are fit for purpose is always the ‘greenest’ option. Recycling takes energy, and incineration produces toxic pollutants.
To reduce your environmental impact, consider investing in high-quality wellies that are made from sustainable materials and designed to last for many years. For kids, make sure their wellies are kept in active usage for as long as possible before they need to be thrown away. Sell them on via WhoSki.com or swap with friends and family to avoid buying new where possible.
Get creative with your old wellies
Once your wellies are really no longer wearable, perhaps you could repurpose them? Cut them down to use as shortie wellies, or transform them into planters.
Some schools and community groups use old wellies to plant up herbs and flowers, creating a fun and colourful display. It’s a good way for the kids to learn a bit about gardening as well as the impact of their wellies on the environment.
Got wellies you want to sell on? Visit the footwear section of the WhoSki.com marketplace to list your old wellies. Remember, we donate to charity on every sale.
