Glue Store has furthered its Future Choice initiative, unveiling an in-store shoe recycling program and a circular wardrobe solution on site.
Future Choice is Glue Store's overarching sustainability mission which began last year with the introduction of five product sustainability categories.
"Our Future Choice initiative is designed to empower our customers' shopping experience by highlighting the conscious stories of the brands we represent and the thoughtful threads they use in their production," Glue Store head of brand, marketing and eCommerce, Charles Moore said.
Now, the Accent Group-owned retailer has launched its shoe recycling program with TreadLightly and a circular wardrobe partnership with AirRobe.
Glue Store's partnership with TreadLightly encourages customers to donate any pre-loved shoes in-store to receive a 10% discount off new footwear purchased.
TreadLightly – an industry-led national recycling program by the Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA) and recycler Save Our Soles (SOS) – will then recycle the shoes into mats and flooring for retail stores, gyms and playgrounds.
Research by TreadLightly found that the average Australian has about five pairs of shoes they don’t wear – equalling the equivalent of 100 million unused shoes that could end up as landfill.
Additionally, of the 110 million shoes imported to Australia each year, 25 million are sporting and athletic lifestyle footwear, making the need to recycle the styles a key focus for ASGA.
"The wider industry, as well as consumers, want to do more to reduce their environmental impact and TreadLightly makes it easy for everyone to do their bit for the planet," ASGA executive director Shaun Bajada said.
In addition, Glue Store has partnered with AirRobe to allow customers to re-sell, rent or recycle their pre-loved clothes.
"Glue Store believes in quality over quantity which is reflected in the quality of the brands and products that we retail," Moore added.
"Our partnership with AirRobe adds further value to our ranges, not only to our customers, but to those that shop from our customers and give second life to quality clothes.
"We are excited that, with the launch of our latest Future Choice initiatives, we are getting closer to the concept of circular fashion where our customers can reduce, by purchasing better quality and conscious products; reuse and resell with AirRobe; and recycle, kicking offing off with footwear and TreadLightly," he said.