Our Recycling Program is Here!
Now your much-loved boots, clogs and sandals can continue their merry journey to be recycled or sold second-hand.
Meet Our Recycling Program
Do you have some Merry People Boots you no longer wear? Our Recycling Program is the perfect sustainable solution!
Driven by our commitment to make the world a merrier place, this program does exactly that! With the help of our partners Save the Children and UPPAREL, you can donate your well-worn Merry People shoes to be resold or recycled - saving them from landfill.
About Our Partners
Save the Children believe in a circular economy and extending the life of donated items with vital funds going towards building a fairer, safer world for every child. In 2024 alone, Save the Children reached 1.27 million people across Australia and around the world.
UPPAREL is a textile recycling company built to protect and preserve the planet for the next generation. Each and every item that comes to UPPAREL avoids landfills, helping decrease greenhouse gases and overall waste.
How to recycle?
It’s super easy! Just give your boots, clogs or sandals a clean and drop them into our retail store in Melbourne, or at any Save the Children locations across Australia.
1. Retail Store
Step into our retail store at Shop 2/11 Manchester Lane, Melbourne and speak to our Merry Team about dropping off your boots in our recycle bin.
2. Save the Children Op Shops
All Save the Children locations across Australia now accept pre-loved Merry People boots, clogs and sandals!
What happens next?
All boots, clogs and sandals will then be sorted and either recycled or donated to be resold second hand depending on their condition:
- Wearable Boots: If your boots are still in good condition, they can be re-sold through Save the Children Op Shops to find a new home and have a second life.
- Unwearable Boots: If your boots have seen too much wear and tear, they will be collected by UPPAREL to be processed into UPtex, a circular material used in packaging, construction and homewares. The rubber from our boots is also crumbed down and repurposed into outdoor surfaces like playground flooring.
Want To Know More? Here’s some FAQs
My boots are still in great condition but I want them to be recycled. What should I do?
My boots are still in great condition but I want them to be recycled. What should I do?
That’s great! We accept boots that are in wearable and unwearable condition. A team will then sort through the boots to determine which will be sold in Save the Children or recycled through UPPAREL.
I’ve lost one of the shoes and only have one – can I still drop it off?
I’ve lost one of the shoes and only have one – can I still drop it off?
Yes! Recycling doesn’t need to be done in pairs. Any boot helps!
I don’t live near a location, can I mail my old boots to you?
I don’t live near a location, can I mail my old boots to you?
Unfortunately no, the only drop off points are the Merry People retail store in Melbourne CBD and any Save the Children locations across Australia. If none of these work for you, we encourage you to drop them off at any local op shop to share the love anyway!
Do I get a discount/benefit if I drop off old shoes?
Do I get a discount/benefit if I drop off old shoes?
No, but you definitely get all the good feels, knowing your boots will be going to a great home or recycled into matting that reduces our environmental footprint and contributes to a circular economy. How good is that?
What condition should my Merry People shoes be in to donate?
What condition should my Merry People shoes be in to donate?
As all shoes will be carefully sorted by our Save the Children volunteers, we ask that shoes are clean and in pairs. Shoes in good condition will be sold second-hand within the Save the Children network and shoes that are past their best will be recycled through UPPAREL.
Can I donate shoes that aren’t Merry People branded?
Can I donate shoes that aren’t Merry People branded?
Of course! Save the Children volunteers welcome all donations of clean shoes in pairs.
Are Save the Children purchases of Merry People products covered under warranty?
Are Save the Children purchases of Merry People products covered under warranty?
These pairs have already been set free to another life, they may be well-loved boots that are older than 12 months, or items with minor flaws that have already been deemed unsaleable under our warranty standards through official channels.
A Little Care Goes a Long Way
Not ready to recycle just yet? Give your boots a quick refresh with our Care Kit, designed to clean, restore, and protect your Merry People Boots.
