Recycle or Resell Your Pair
The honest guide to maximizing value and minimizing waste for your worn Adidas sneakers.
Find Your Best Option
Resell Options Ranked
1. StockX / GOAT
Best for: Deadstock, hyped releases
Premium pricing, authentication guarantee, global audience. Requires deadstock or like-new condition. Not worth it for sub-$150 retail shoes due to fees.
2. Grailed / Depop
Best for: Good condition, enthusiast audience
Fashion-focused community, accepts worn condition, lower fees than StockX. Great for Sambas, Gazelles, vintage Adidas. Requires good photos and honest descriptions.
3. eBay
Best for: Anything goes, maximum reach
Massive audience, accepts all conditions, international shipping. Higher risk of lowball offers and returns. Best for mid-tier Adidas ($50-150 value).
4. Facebook Marketplace / Local
Best for: Fast cash, avoid shipping
Zero shipping hassle, instant payment, no authentication. Expect 30-50% below market value. Meet in public place. Good for sub-$100 shoes.
Recycling Options Ranked
1. For Days
Mail-in textile recycling with rewards
Send any textiles/shoes via free shipping bag. Receive $10 credit per bag toward new sustainable apparel. Shoes are disassembled, materials recycled into new textiles or downcycled into insulation.
URL: fordays.com | Coverage: US nationwide | Cost: Free
2. Adidas Take-Back Program
In-store recycling (limited locations)
Drop off any athletic shoes at participating Adidas stores (Germany, NYC, LA, SF). Shoes are disassembled and materials reused in new Adidas products (Futurecraft initiative).
URL: adidas.com/sustainability | Coverage: Select US/EU cities | Cost: Free
3. Helpsy
Textile recycling bins nationwide
Drop shoes in yellow Helpsy bins found in parking lots nationwide. Textiles sorted: 45% resold globally, 30% downcycled to rags/insulation, 20% recycled to fiber, 5% landfill (contaminated).
URL: helpsy.org/find-bin | Coverage: 5,000+ US locations | Cost: Free
4. TerraCycle
Hard-to-recycle materials specialist
Mail shoes in prepaid box (order online). Specializes in complex materials like glued multi-layer shoes. Materials separated and recycled into plastic pellets for industrial use.
URL: terracycle.com | Coverage: US/Canada/EU | Cost: $86 per box (or join sponsored programs for free)
Expected Value by Condition
| Condition | Retail $80-120 | Retail $150-250 | Retail $300+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadstock | $60-90 (75% retail) | $120-200 (80% retail) | $250-400 (85% retail) |
| Like New | $40-70 (60% retail) | $90-160 (65% retail) | $180-270 (70% retail) |
| Good | $20-40 (30% retail) | $45-90 (40% retail) | $90-150 (40% retail) |
| Fair | Donate / Recycle | $20-40 (15% retail) | $30-60 (15% retail) |
| Poor | Recycle only | Recycle only | Recycle only |
Values represent average market prices after platform fees. Hyped collabs (Yeezy, Wales Bonner) may exceed these ranges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I clean my shoes before reselling?
Yes, but don't over-clean deadstock pairs (may remove factory smell/tags buyers expect). For worn pairs: brush off dirt, wipe with damp cloth, clean soles with Magic Eraser, replace laces if yellowed. Don't use harsh chemicals that damage materials. Clean pairs sell 20-30% faster and get 15% higher offers.
Can I recycle shoes with holes or sole separation?
Yes. For Days, Helpsy, and TerraCycle accept shoes in any condition. Materials are separated and recycled even if unwearable. Don't trash them - 20 billion shoes end up in landfills annually, taking 40+ years to decompose.
How much do StockX/GOAT fees really cost?
StockX: 9.5-15% seller fee (decreases with volume) + $13.95 shipping. GOAT: 9.5% fee + 2.9% cash out fee + shipping. Example: Sell Yeezys for $300 → you net $240-260 after fees. Not worth it for sub-$150 retail shoes.
Is it worth donating shoes I can't resell?
Yes if good condition (wearable with 2+ years left). Goodwill, Salvation Army, homeless shelters need athletic shoes. You get tax deduction ($10-30 per pair). Don't donate poor condition shoes - they get trashed. Recycle instead.
Can I get money for recycling shoes?
For Days gives $10 credit per bag (can include shoes + clothes). Most recycling programs are free but no payment. Nike Grind/Adidas take-back don't pay. The value is environmental - keeping 0.5kg waste out of landfills, saving materials.
How do I ship shoes for resale?
Remove insoles, stuff with paper to maintain shape, wrap in bubble wrap, use original box if available (adds value) or similar-sized box, print label, ship within 2 days. StockX/GOAT provide prepaid labels. For eBay/Grailed, use USPS Priority Mail ($10-15, includes tracking).
What happens to recycled sneaker materials?
Textiles → downcycled to rags, insulation, carpet padding. Rubber soles → playground surfaces, gym flooring. Foam midsoles → Nike Grind (track surfaces). Only 5-10% of shoe by weight is recyclable into new shoes (single-material limitation). Futurecraft Loop solves this but not mainstream.
Should I sell locally or online?
Local (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp) for fast cash, avoiding shipping, sub-$100 shoes. Expect 30-50% below online market value. Online (StockX, Grailed) for maximum value, hyped releases, $150+ shoes. Worth shipping hassle for 2x local price.
Can I recycle fake/replica Adidas?
Yes. Textile recyclers don't check authenticity - they process materials. Don't resell reps as real (illegal, fraud). If you unknowingly bought fakes, recycle rather than dump. Same materials = same environmental impact.
How long does it take to sell used Adidas?
Hyped models (Yeezy, Samba collabs): 3-14 days. Classic models (Stan Smith, Superstar): 2-6 weeks. Unpopular colorways/models: 2-3 months or never. Price competitively (check 5 recent sales) and use good photos for faster sales.