Every Step Leaves a Footprint: Rethinking Sneaker Culture’s Environmental Impact

By Lauren H. Hobart, President & Chief Executive Officer, DICK’S Sporting Goods

It is no surprise that sneaker culture has been unraveling and booming in recent years, especially among Gen Z audiences who associate footwear with a sense of identity and cultural moments. Sneakers are no longer simply athletic gear—they have become a form of expression and cultural currency. What people sometimes fail to recognize, however, is that the environmental impact has been snowballing alongside this growth.

The fast-fashion business model has been around for a while, and already we are seeing irreversible effects on climate change. Clothing is designed, produced, and sold extremely quickly and cheaply, with brands under economic pressure to keep up with cultural trends and stay relevant with broader audiences. Much like the clothing industry, footwear overconsumption is no different. Sneaker culture has become a prominent cultural phenomenon that many brands capitalize on. Trends spread instantly online, and e-commerce gives retailers the opportunity to drop new products daily, accelerating the cycle of consumption.

When we look at the striking numbers, it becomes evident how serious the impact is. According to an impact review from SLEEK, approximately 24 billion shoes are produced each year, and about a quarter of them are sneakers. The scale continues to grow. Sneakers used to be worn primarily for exercise and admired for their comfort and durability, but now they have become a fashion staple as well. If you walk into almost any household, the majority of shoes you will likely see are sneakers. The footwear industry is responsible for roughly 1.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. And then there is the shoe’s afterlife. More than 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away each year, yet only about 5% are recycled. The reality is that even many donated shoes end up in landfills, continuing to contaminate local environments with dyes and metals, while the synthetic rubbers and plastics they are made from can take hundreds—if not thousands—of years to decompose. The environmental consequences are undeniable.

At the same time, consumer priorities are shifting. Gen Z increasingly cares about sustainability, and many people hold brands accountable for ethical manufacturing and environmental responsibility. Research from Deloitte shows that 75% of Gen Z participants say sustainability plays a more important role in their purchase decisions than brand name alone. This signals a significant shift in consumer expectations. Many young consumers have grown up witnessing the effects of climate change firsthand. As brands, we must recognize that delivering great designs is no longer enough. Demonstrating that those designs respect the values of our consumers is becoming just as important.

Recognizing the dangers that sneaker hype culture and the collection mindset pose to our environment is the first step toward becoming responsible leaders in the sports apparel industry. Retailers must rethink sneaker culture and how it continues to evolve. Supporting recycling programs, investing in sustainable materials, and encouraging circular consumption are important steps forward. But it is not enough to simply introduce these programs—we must make them accessible to the everyday consumer. Many people already have the right mindset and want to participate in sustainable practices. If brands can minimize the physical and logistical barriers to sustainability, the collective impact could be far greater. Instead of only promoting sustainability efforts, brands should focus on using their platforms and marketing tools to make responsible consumption easier and more attainable.

At DICK’S Sporting Goods, we believe in balancing culture with responsibility. Like many companies across our industry, we are still learning how to navigate this complex and evolving challenge. We are continually working to improve packaging and product sustainability, strengthen take-back and recycling programs, and create systems that make it easier for customers to return products when they reach the end of their lifecycle.The sneaker industry has always been defined by innovation and cultural influence. The next chapter of sneaker culture should not be measured only by the excitement of the next drop, but by how responsibly the industry evolves. Building a more circular sneaker economy—one that prioritizes durability, recycling, and thoughtful consumption—will allow sneaker culture to continue thriving while also protecting the planet we all share.

---