Flawlessly sustainable? Planet-saving? The ultimate solution?
Nah!
We’re truly doing our best to innovate and reduce our environmental impact, but there’s always room for improvement. The most sustainable shoes? The ones already in your closet. And since you’re reading this—meaning you scanned the QR code on the tongue of your ID.EIGHT shoes—we’re guessing these are already with you.
So, how do you take care of them properly?
#1 CLEANING
Cleaning your sneakers is important—keep doing it. But over-washing? Not so great. Here’s how to keep them fresh without overdoing it:
LESS IS MORE
If they’re smelly but not dirty, just let them air out. Your shoes (and the planet) will thank you.
COLD WATER & GENTLE TOUCH
Hand-wash with cold water and mild soap. If you must use a washing machine, go for a delicate cycle and put them in a wash bag.
NO TUMBLE DRYER, PLEASE
High heat = weaker materials. Let them air dry instead—the sun and wind are free, might as well take advantage!
#2 REPAIRING
Scuffed soles? Loose stitching? Not a flaw—a memory. But unlike clothes, sneakers aren’t always the easiest to fix at home. Stitching thick materials, reattaching soles, or reinforcing wear-and-tear spots often requires special tools and expertise.
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP
Your local cobbler can work wonders. Plus, supporting small businesses = a win-win.
DON'T HAVE A COBBLER NEARBY?
No worries—we’ve got you covered. Use our repair service by filling out this form.
#3 DONATING
Maybe your style has changed, maybe it’s time to move on. But that doesn’t mean your sneakers’ journey has to end—as long as they’re still in good condition. Unlike clothes, shoes mold to the shape of your feet over time, and wearing a pair that doesn’t fit properly can cause discomfort or even posture issues. If they have been lightly worn and have plenty of life left, you can:
GIVE THEM TO A FRIEND
Your “meh” might be someone else’s “OMG, where did you get these?!”
SWAP, DON'T SHOP
Clothing swaps are the new shopping sprees (minus the overconsumption guilt). Why not organize one with friends?
DONATE (THOUGHTFULLY)
Make sure they go to someone who actually needs them—and that they’re still comfortable to wear.
#4 RECYCLING
If your sneakers are truly beyond saving, don’t worry—we won’t let them go to waste. Thanks to ESO RECYCLING, we can give old sneakers a second life by turning them into new products. At their facility in Tolentino, they recover 87% of the materials from sneakers and transform them in:
– Shock-absorbing playground surfaces
– Running tracks & sports flooring
– Seating and accessories for stores
– Tiles for construction
So here’s what you have to do, you have 2 options:
2. DROP-OFF AT AN ESOBOX COLLECTION BOX
Find one in your city and get a €10 discount on your next pair, check out where the closest collection box is here.