RECYCLING SHOE
2. June 2026Tomas Bata University in Zlín (TBU) has joined the prestigious international project “Recycling Shoe,” which addresses the environmental impacts of footwear waste. The objective of this initiative is to develop an innovative European educational program and tools focused on shoe recycling and the circular economy. The project also significantly strengthens the connection between academia and industrial practice, which is key for the Zlín university with its strong shoemaking tradition.
European Collaboration
The project connects a total of 9 partners from 5 European countries. Alongside Tomas Bata University in Zlín and the Czech Footwear and Leather Association (COKA), experts from various institutions cooperate on the initiative.
Partner organizations from across Europe are collaborating on the project. CTCP and Universidade de Aveiro joined from Portugal, Pruef- und Forschungsinstitut Pirmasens e.V. from Germany, and Universitatea Tehnică „Gheorghe Asachi” din Iaşi from Romania. The Czech Republic is represented by the Czech Footwear and Leather Association. Poland is represented by Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz – Instytut Technologii Eksploatacji, Ogólnopolska Izba branży skórzanej, and Politechnika Łódzka.
The project will deliver key outputs for footwear recycling, including a strategic overview of European regulations, a circular roadmap, and a new international master’s program. Furthermore, educational materials and an international network for advanced education in the field will be established.
About the Project
The project, fully titled Advanced Education for Recycling and Circular Economy in the Shoe Industry, is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ program (project number: 2025-1-PT01-KA220-HED-000361174). Its implementation is scheduled from December 2025 to December 2028.
