Companies can show that they care about the environment by completing this audit and, on successful completion, using the Recycling Award logo on documentation, products and packaging

Environmental concerns about the sustainability of resources, the possible influence of industrial activities on climate change and pollution are increasing the pressure on manufacturers to review their manufacturing processes and cut down on the amount of waste they produce. In addition, end of life management of products is under scrutiny and legislation is being proposed or implemented, especially in the European Union, relating to product disposal.

From a manufacturing viewpoint any waste represents ineffective use of financial resources and therefore manufacturers have always been keen to minimise or eliminate any unused or scrap material in their manufacturing processes. Some companies, particularly those manufacturing footwear or components made from plastics, have traditionally either recycled waste raw materials back into the process or passed them on to other companies to use. However, even these manufacturers have rarely considered what happens to the products after sale to the consumer. It is estimated that most footwear is disposed of into landfill sites at the end of its life. Components biodegrade relatively slowly - including natural materials such as leather uppers - and some plastics are anticipated to take more than 500 years!

Recycling of products and materials is becoming more of an issue for the footwear industry and involves both the ‘reuse’ of footwear or conversion into some other product, and the absorption of waste materials back into the manufacturing process.

There is currently only a small amount of reuse of used footwear and recycling of footwear and footwear materials. On the other hand, the environmental case for recycling is strong (though not always financially viable). The potential to reduce pollution caused by the original material manufacturing process or caused by incineration or landfill at the end of life, conservation of non sustainable earth resources and energy savings (in some cases less energy is used to process recycled materials than raw materials) are all good reasons to consider recycling.

Examples of recycling include programmes to reuse worn shoes by reworking them back to a wearable condition by repairing them, through to dismantling them for incorporation into other footwear or for use in different products. Examples of this latter activity include rubber, foam and textiles being used to make sports surfaces and floorings.

The SATRA Recycling Award is available to all SATRA members that can adequately and consistently demonstrate that they have instigated a recycling programme that enables either whole shoes to be recycled in some way or waste or unused material to be absorbed back into the manufacturing cycle, or used in other processes. A key factor is that the recycling process must be environmentally sympathetic and use fewer resources overall than when producing new materials. The award is also applicable to companies that process waste from other industries as part of their manufacturing.

SATRA will review the recycling method and associated procedures to verify aspects such as reduced energy consumption and then carry out an on-site audit to check the processes are being followed and any associated equipment is in place. Two important elements are firstly to confirm that product performance and legislative requirements (such as restricted substance levels in consumer products) have not been compromised by the use of recycled materials, and secondly to ensure that claims relating to the amount of recycling are accurate. The audit takes the form of an initial assessment followed by regular surveillance visits to confirm ongoing recycling with a reassessment after three years. Successful companies will be able to use the SATRA Recycling Award logo on their documentation, products and packaging.

The SATRA Recycling Award is one way to demonstrate to customers and consumers that you care for the environment. Members who are interested in applying for the Award should contact Steve Rose on +44 (0) 1536 410 000 or email for more information.