Iconic Australian gumboot brand Merry People want to make the world a merrier place, reducing waste in their entire supply chain, from first boot sketch to last steps
That’s why Merry People have partnered with Save the Children Op Shops and recycler Save our Soles on a new recycling program that is a reflection of their brand values and how they do business.
Cass, Head of Product at Merry People, explains how the partnership came to be: “John Elliot , Founder of Save our Soles introduced us to Save the Children when we were trying to find a solution to offering drop points beyond our retail store to our community. The partnership made such sense to us. We know so many of our community love a good thrift fashion find, so thought it a great opportunity for them to drop off boots and find a treasure and support a truly worthy cause!”
John agrees: “The best thing about this program involving Save the Children, is that we are putting reuse before recycling. The Merry People consumer can feel good knowing that the wearable footwear will be reused through sale to a second owner, and non-wearable styles will be recycled. This program maximises the benefit and minimises both the cost and impact.”
Do you have some Merry People shoes you no longer wear? This initiative is the perfect sustainable solution to ensure your pre-loved footwear steps into another life, well after your adventures have ended. Now, you can donate your much-loved, well-worn, no longer used shoes to be recycled or sold second-hand to keep the merry momentum going, and continue our sustainable journey together, step by step.
How does the recycling program work?
It’s super easy! Just give your shoes a good clean and drop them into Merry People’s first ever store in Melbourne, or at one of our various Save the Children drop spots across Australia.
At Merry People’s Retail Store:
In Melbourne, CBD: Step into Merry People’s first ever retail store at Shop 2/11 Manchester Lane, Melbourne and speak to their team about dropping off your shoes in their in store recycle bin.
Via Save the Children Op Shops:
There are eight selected locations across Australia (available from 17th December) where you can find Merry People bins to drop off your boots, clogs and sandals. Your donated items will be sold second-hand through our stores, or recycled into mats and flooring by Save our Soles.
VIC:
NSW:
QLD:
SA:
WA:
Please note: all our stores are volunteer run, so please check your local store’s opening times.
After drop-off, all Merry People footwear will then be sorted for recycling or reselling depending on their condition:
Wearable shoes : If your shoes are still in good condition, they can be re-sold through our op shops to find a home in another part of the Merry People community.
Unwearable shoes: If your footwear has seen too much wear and tear, they will be collected by Save our Soles and recycled into gym matting and retail flooring.
Want to know more? Here’s some FAQs:
“My shoes are still in great condition but I want them to be recycled. What should I do?”
That’s great! We accept shoes that are in wearable and unwearable condition. Our warehouse teams will then sort through the shoes to determine which will be sold in our stores or recycled through Save our Soles.
“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! However, single shoes must be dropped off at the Melbourne CBD store or at one of the eight listed locations. All our other op shops will only accept wearable footwear in pairs.
“I don’t live near a location, can I mail my old shoes to you?”
Unfortunately no, there is only the Merry People retail store in Melbourne CBD and the eight Save the Children drop-off locations across Australia.
“Do I get a discount/benefit if I drop off old shoes?”
No, but you definitely get all the good feels, knowing your Merry People footwear 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?
“Can I donate my Merry People shoes in a Save the Children Op Shop not listed above?”
Not yet unfortunately. As this initiative is brand new, we can only accept shoes in select Save the Children stores. Stay tuned for more locations to be added in the near future.
“Where are the donation bins at the Save the Children Op Shops?”
The eight listed Save the Children Op Shop locations each have a recycle bin. They are clearly marked as Merry People donation points but if you can’t find them, please ask a friendly volunteer and they’ll point you in the right direction.
“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. Shoes in good condition will be sold second-hand within the Save the Children Op Shop network and shoes that are past their best will be recycled through Save our Soles.
“Can I donate shoes that aren’t Merry People branded?”
Of course! Our friendly volunteers welcome all donations of clean shoes in pairs at our Save the Children Op Shops. We just ask that only Merry People products are placed in the Merry People x Save the Children in-store collection points.
“My local Save the Children Op Shop has some pre-loved Merry People footwear but no donation bins. Why is that?”
All donations to our network of op shops are sorted in our warehouse by our team and then distributed to where they are needed most. So you might find a colourful pair close to home soon!
"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.
About Save Our Soles:
Save our Soles creates recycled flooring and mats using collected and donated shoes and tyres. With 20 billion shoes thrown away each year, they have already saved 500,000+ from landfill. A big supporter of Merry People, Save Our Soles has recycled discontinued boots for years, and now we are excited to be broadening the partnership.
About Merry People:
Born in 2014 out of a practical frustration in Melbourne, Australia (notorious for its unreliable weather). Merry People sprung into existence in response to the gap in the market. They set out to create a boot that is comfortable, waterproof, quality, everyday and can be worn on commutes and suitable to walk into a corporate office. Merry People rubber boots are hand-crafted, made with care by their expert rubber boot makers in world-class factories.
Images: Mike Chilton / Save the Children