Wondering what to do with old pairs of wellies? Here are lots of recycling and upcycling ideas in the UK so that they can have a second life.
Your welly boots can suffer after years of muddy walks and rainy-day adventures. Whether they have sprung a leak, or have cracked or split and can’t be repaired, then you may well be ready to toss them in the bin.
However, you don’t have to bin your trusty old boots. Most wellies can be recycled or upcycled into something new. Here are some of my favourite creative and practical ways to give your old wellies a second life.
How To Upcycle Or Recycle Your Old Welly Boots In The UK
Here are some clever ideas to upcycle your boots, or failing that, places in the UK where you can recycle them:
Make Planters
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to upcycle your welly boots, then one idea is to make a garden planter from them. It’s a quirky way to add a touch of character to your garden or patio while giving your old boots a new practical purpose.
All you need to do is to make some holes in the soles for drainage, and then pop some stones in for stability (if you’d like them to stand). If you want to hang them on your fence, like in the photo above, you can skip the stones. Add some gravel to help with drainage, some soil, and your plant, and you’re good to go.
Make Recycled Garden Shoes
If the side wall of your boots has split, then the chances are they are still salvageable. Simply cut them down to make slip on waterproof shoes – just like Andrew has done in the post above. They’re perfect for gardening, taking the bins out, and other outdoor tasks – and are much more sustainable than buying a new pair of Crocs!
Use Them As Umbrella Storage
Wellies that still look good, but maybe have a leak in the sole can still be functional. You could use them in your hallway or vestibule to store umbrellas. Pop a few stones in the boot to add a bit of stability, and then pop your brollies in them.
Places To Donate Kids’ Wellies
When it comes to young kids, I’ve certainly found that they tend to outgrow their welly boots, rather than wear them out. This means gently used pairs can be passed on to others. Places that you can ask if they take preloved wellies include:
- Schools & Nurseries – Outdoor learning is a key part of the curriculum – whether that’s messy play, nature walks, or gardening projects. As such, some may take donations of gently used wellies to have spare for kids who forget to bring their own pair.
- Charity Shops – Many charity shops, like The British Red Cross, don’t accept kids’ shoes because wear can affect the fit of the shoe. However, most accept gently worn welly boots. Just make sure they are clean before donating them.
- Family & Friends – Sometimes the simplest option is the most effective. Passing on outgrown wellies to siblings, cousins, or friends keeps them in circulation and reduces waste. If you can’t find any takers, try online marketplaces to see if you can pass them on.
Recycle Wellies At Cotswold Outdoor
If going down the crafty route is not for you (zero judgement here), then all is not lost. You can recycle your wellies at Cotswold Outdoor. It’s free Recycle My Gear initiative makes it easy to give well-loved outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment a second life instead of letting them end up in landfill.
Almost any type of paired footwear can be recycled through the scheme, though ice skates, ski boots, and snowboard boots are exceptions. Cotswold Outdoor has teamed up with the Phoenix Resource Centre to make this possible, following a simple philosophy: “If it’s wearable or repairable, it’s re-used. If it’s not wearable, it’s re-purposed.”
Recycling points are available in all UK Cotswold Outdoor stores. With over 70 stores spread across the UK, this makes it convenient to drop off your old wellies at your nearest store.
Unfortunately, I haven’t found any other brands that recycle wellies. It appears that Hunter and Joules both used to recycle welly boots, but these are sadly no longer running in 2025.
Looking for more ways to keep your footprint on the planet as small as possible? I’ve got some helpful guides to start you on the right step:
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