Recycling old Wellington boots

VfM4meplse

I have a pair of old Wellington boots that I need to find another use for given that the soles are cracked and let water through. I would freecycle if I thought there would be an uptake.

What's the most environmentally friendly way of getting rid of these? I think they are a mixture of rubber / plastic so are unlikely to degrade. I don't want to give these to a private collection firm so may have to resort to planting strawberries in them a la Hugh F-W :rotfl:. The best use I can think of them would be for people that pick through dry recycling in recipient nations, but is this going to be a realistic prospect?

crazyguy

1. If the soles are intact and the boot has split up the back (this is the most common way that Wellingtons wear out), get out a good, sharp craft knife and cut the sides away, leaving the toe of the boot intact. These make good clogs for pottering around the garden without getting muddy, for doing your cleaning or for popping out to pick up the paper or take in the milk without taking your slippers off – just put the clogs over your regular shoes or slippers. A classier pair of old Wellingtons can be cut down, cutting off the toe and the sides so only a strap about 3–5 cm wide is left running from one side of the “shoe” to the other – think the Dr Scholl sandals (or “scuffs”). Provided the boot was a bright colour and is clean (scrub the mud off with a stout scrubbing brush), you will now have something resembling a pair of beach sandals with a thick, chunky heel – something that goes in and out of fashion.
2. If the sole of the Wellington boot is perforated (you stood on a nail or something along those lines), then add a few more holes into the sole and fill the boot full of potting mix to make the boot into a novelty pot plant. A black Wellington boot absorbs heat, so you can use this “pot plant” to grow vegetables that need warmer soils – maybe you could start off zucchini seedlings in your old boots.
3. Make two holes in the top of the Wellington at each side, and thread wire or string through the holes to make a handle. You now have a container for garden implements, paint brushes or garage tools that holds the tools upright and is nicely balanced – the foot helps prevent the container from toppling over.
4. Two old Wellington boots are the perfect footwear for a scarecrow. Use other old clothes (shirt, trousers) for the rest of the scarecrow – stuff them full of straw and tie them together with string. Use a bag or an old ball for the head and top with a hat before tying the scarecrow to a couple of stakes lashed to make a cross-shape. He/she might not keep the birds off your garden, but it looks fun and friendly.
5. Take up the pastime of “Wellie Wanging” or boot throwing, striving either for distance or for accuracy. While anybody can throw a boot, it takes a bit of a knack to throw a boot accurately. Have a competition with your friends at the nearest park or football field, with prizes for the longest throw and the most accurate throw – and maybe booby prizes for the shortest and least accurate.
6. Make a pet feeder. Cut the toe off the boot, slanting the cut backwards slightly. Fill the boot with cat biscuits or rabbit pellets and wedge the other boot in the pair over the top of the full one as a lid (hint: don’t make the full boot bulge too much – you should be able to squeeze it in slightly). The pellets or biscuits will roll down and into the toe as the pet eats their way through their food. Take the top boot off and replace the pellets when needed.
7. Make a hobby horse or stick pony. Put a stout stick inside the boot running along the back and nail it firmly in place along the length of the boot (industrial staples work well for this job). If you use staples, you can also attach a string mane to the stick pony at the same time. Use paint to add eyes, nose and mouth, then use string or an old leather belt to make reins.

3v3

Wow, crazyguy, I was going to post your #2 and that was my *only* suggestion! :rotfl: You've stolen the show there :T:T:T Thanks for posting those ideas .... I'm thinking of ruining my wellies just to I can implement a couple of those ideas :rotfl:

VfM4meplse

3v3 wrote: »

You've stolen the show there :T:T:T

Agreed, well done and thank you CG!!

VfM