Metro Brands to expand ODF recycling with ReCircle

In order to tackle environmental challenges, Metro Brands aims to expand the recycling of its old, discarded footwear (ODF) in partnership with ReCircle and other partners.

The partnershipnot only aims to reduce waste and carbon emissions but also encourage circular economy toattain self-sustainability via precise, measurable targets.

With an annual footwear production ofaround 21 billion pairs, discarding of old footwear has come out as a major environmental issue. Often ignored and inappropriately disposed of, ODF often worsens environmental degradation by adding to landfills and ocean pollution. This venture aims to enable informal waste workers to boost their earnings, enlarge their businesses, and create employment opportunities, while at the same time diverting old shoes away from landfills and oceans.

Sharing his enthusiasm over the partnership with ReCircle and other CSR partners, Aziz Fidai, Head of CSR and Sustainability, Metro Brands, highlights its importance in conveying the environmental impact emerging from the spreading out of the footwear industry.

From 5 per cent in FY2021–22, Metro Brands increased its ODF processing to around 50 per cent in FY 2023–24, with ReCircle dealing out 1,300 tons of old discarded footwear. The company plans to accomplish 75 per cent coverage relative to the new footwear pairs sold this year, with inclusive coverage targeted by FY 25–26.

Rahul Nainani, CEO and Co-Founder, ReCircle, a clean-tech leader specialising in resource recovery, emphasised the importance of this partnership in showcasing the potential of circularity and sustainability in facing local environmental challenges.

A specialty footwear retailer that opened its first store in Mumbai in 1955, Metro Brands offers a diverse range of branded products for men, unisex, women, and children, providing to casual and formal occasions. Apart from footwear, the company sells accessories like handbags, belts, and wallets. Operated under its own brands including Metro, Mochi, Da Vinchi, Walkway,and J. Fontini, as well as representing third-party brands like Crocs, Fila, Clarks, Fitflop, Puma, Skechers,and Adidas, Metro Brands presently runs 836 stores across 193 cities in India.