Increased Reuse of Shoes – An important step towards a more circular footwear industry
Every year, more than 30 million pairs of shoes are sold in Sweden. At the same time, the need for more circular solutions within the footwear industry continues to grow, where reuse and extended product lifespan are playing an increasingly important role.
To meet future demands for sustainability and reuse, the project Ökat återbruk av skor (Increased Reuse of Shoes) has been running during 2024–2026 — an industry initiative where research, innovation and businesses collaborate to develop new solutions for shoe reuse within the footwear industry.
The project has been led by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute together with, among others, Wargön Innovation and several companies within the footwear industry. The focus has been on accelerating the footwear industry’s transition towards circular business models and strengthening the industry’s competitiveness in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.
With a Focus on Extended Product Lifespan
As part of the project, Brunngård has participated in the reference group and contributed with perspectives, experience and dialogue regarding product lifespan, shoe care, quality and future needs within the industry.
At Brunngård, we actively work to contribute to a more sustainable footwear industry through effective shoe care solutions that help consumers take care of their products and extend their lifespan. This, in turn, contributes to increased reuse and second hand consumption.
An Important Step in the Industry’s Circular Transition
For us, reuse and shoe care are important parts of the development towards a more sustainable footwear industry.
“The circular transition within the fashion and textile industry is developing rapidly. For the footwear industry, this means both new challenges and great opportunities. Shoes can be complex, consisting of many different materials and components, which makes recycling more advanced than within many other product categories. At the same time, consumers’ expectations regarding sustainability, transparency and responsibility are increasing. Here, we want to meet market demand and educate consumers to actually take care of the products that have already been produced.”
Josefine Karlsson
Extended Product Lifespan as Part of the Future Footwear Industry
The project Ökat återbruk av skor addresses an important question within the industry: how footwear reuse can become a realistic part of the future footwear industry.
At Brunngård, we see reuse and extended product lifespan as a natural part of the future footwear industry. For us, sustainability is not only about material choices and production, but also about creating the conditions for products to be used longer and maintain their value over time.
Bringing together research, innovation and industry knowledge within the same forum is an important part of developing more long-term and sustainable solutions for the footwear industry.
Explore the initiative and learn more about the project