Crocs takeback programme arrives in UK, Europe

US footwear brand Crocs is expanding its commitment to sustainability by bringing its ‘Old Crocs. New Life’ scheme to the UK and mainland Europe. 

The shoe takeback venture reinforcing its dedication to “championing circular models of production and consumption”, the brand said.

First  launched in the US in 2024 with “strong” consumer participation, the initiative is expanding globally to its own retail and outlet locations in the UK, Germany, France, Austria and the Netherlands with collection boxes calling for customers “to drop off shoes in any condition”.

Consumers can donate their Crocs shoes to be recycled in partnership with FastFeet Grinded, with each participant receiving a one-time 15% discount on in-store products.

Since the US launch, Crocs said the donated shoes have been repurposed to create the brand’s first-ever recycled footwear – the ‘Keep It Going Recycled Classic Clog’ – made with 25% post-consumer recycled materials.

The UK arrival coincides with a new Crocs store opening at the London Designer Outlet mall in Wembley later this year after signing a five-year lease for a 1,456 sq ft unit. The store will feature Crocs’ extensive range of products for adults and kids, including its clogs, sandals and “more on-trend” styles, as well as its takeback scheme.

Matt Slade, retail director at Quintain (the property investment and development business behind Wembley Park as a whole), said: “Crocs is a globally recognised brand that taps into the huge footwear trend among the dynamic, young and brand-savvy shopper demographic that we see here.”