Today, May 31st, is National Flip Flop Day.
According to the information on the National Today Website, the flip flop can be traced back to the stone age. Then, somewhere around 3000 years ago during the Japanese Heian period, a flip flop like sandal was created called the “zori”.
The zori sandals first came to the US in 1945 with returning soldiers and the term “flip-flop” started to make a presence in the 1960’s and is still popular today.
As we move into summer, this is likely a time when a new pair is on our mind. This post will give you an overview of the environmental impact, brands to consider, and some great upcycling ideas and products.
Environmental Impact of the Flip Flop
Globally, over 3 billion flip flops are purchased every year and most flip flops on the market are made from plastics and/or non-recycled materials. This leads to the challenge of large amounts of waste that take thousands of years to decompose.
Some reports suggest that the flip flop is the second largest contributor to plastic ocean waste, only behind plastic water bottles. I did a quick search on Earth911.org to see where I could recycle flip flops near me and came up with no solutions.
This makes it even more important to be conscious of what you are buying and consider other alternatives for giving used flip flops a second life.
Purchasing Eco-Friendly Flip Flops
When purchasing new flip flops, there are two eco-friendly options: Made of a natural material that will decompose or made of recycled materials – giving them a second life. Below are five brands to put on your consideration list. Prices reflect the point in time of this post.
Third Oak – Made in the US, these soy-based flip flops are sustainably made and 100% recyclable. Prices are around $30.
Okabashi – These flip flops are made from a combination of recycled materials and soy-based materials. They have a program for returning and recycling the flip flops or they can be recycled curbside as a #3 plastic. Prices start at $25.
Indosole – These flip flops are made from recycled automotive tires which are also problematic to dispose. The products come in many colors for men, women, and children. Prices are $30-50.
Feelgoodz – These flip flops are made of natural latex straight from the yang para latex rubber trees. They have several designs for men and women. The base flip flop is $25.
Nae – Nae is a vegan footwear brand and they have a variety of different sandals made of several recycled and natural materials. Prices start at $50 and go up from there.
Upcycling Flip Flops Around the House
As mentioned above, finding a location to recycle your flip flops is challenging. Here are just a few creative ideas on how you could repurpose them around the house.
- Cut out circles to be used as foot pads for table legs to prevent scratching the floor. If your flip flops are bright pink, just paint them black or brown before using.
- Shred them for stuffing or packing material.
- Use to fill a gap – a gasket for something that isn’t heated or a gap in a door frame.
- Place under the washer and dryer to reduce the vibration of the machine.
Products Made of Recycled Flip Flops
Ocean Sole – One organization that is clearing flip flops from beaches and using them to make colorful, creative products is Ocean Sole. They have many items that would be great gifts including animal figures that could be enjoyed by both children and adults. Check out their website to learn more about their cause and products.
Doormats – One creative reuse is turning old flip flops into doormats. These doormats come in different sizes and colors. They are available at most marketplaces including Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, eBay, and more. Search “recycled flip flop doormats” and find the one that is perfect for you.
Bracelets – These bracelets are made of upcycled flip flop beads by the Love is Project. There are other products on their website to check out as well. The bracelets use flip flops collected by Ocean Sole.