Can Plastic Shoes Be Recycled?

It's complicated—but don't throw them in the blue bin

Achieving ‘Mainstream Green’ is key to a more sustainable economy. Read the new report on the CMO Sustainability Accelerator hub to learn more and take action.

Plastic jelly shoes—an undeniable mark of coolness from the 1990s—are back in vogue. But with plastic pollution and fossil fuel extraction threatening the environment and climate, people in 2023 are asking more of brands behind the shiny, colorful footwear.

Melissa, the original jelly shoemaker founded in Brazil in 1979, produces its iconic sandals using 100% clean and renewable energy. It also has a robust system to conserve and reuse water, and introduced new packaging in 2021 that’s fully recyclable using starch-based glue and water-based paint.

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