You wake up to realize it is snowing; your first point of action is to ensure your wellies are in good condition. Of course, this is the same action you will take if it is raining. But, when your wellies start to deteriorate, you begin to think of different things to do, if you can repair it or if you have to dispose of it.
When some people experience winter for the first time, they get confused with the appropriate choice of clothes and footwear. Wellies are the best options; they are waterproof and are long enough to reach below your knee. However, there are ankle wellies that cover just some inches above the ankle.
As years go by, people have learned how to make their wellies stylish to wear them with different outfits. As a result, wellies are versatile; you can wear them on the beach, when you go on dog walks, shooting parties, during gardening, festivals, and even when you go on a walk in the countryside.
In this blog post, you will learn the best way to dispose of your wellies by recycling them. Prepare to have your mind blown when you see these stress-free methods. So, why not relax and let’s go for a ride.
Can Wellies Be Recycled?
We have established that if you live in any of the world’s temperate regions, a wellie is a must-have; even people living in tropical regions need a pair of wellies for the rainy season. But, when your wellies get bad, the first thought would be to dispose of it. So, what is the best way to dispose of your wellies?
Of course, you can recycle wellies. Most wellies are made from natural rubber, which is biodegradable. The non-biodegradable wellies are made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC, and they are the cheapest wellies.
Recycling old pairs of wellies is a great idea; you do a lot of good to yourself and our environment. Recycling wellies helps reduce the amount of waste we dispose of; it helps save money to purchase items and tools you might find useful in your home, reducing our impact on the environment.
The production of wellies began in the early 19th century. During that time, wellies were produced using natural rubber, making them very easy to dispose of. But during the 1980s, manufacturers began using colored rubbers to produce wellies. The new rubbers used underwent different manufacturing and styling processes.
The innovative process resulted in the production of wellies with a whole new look and an appeal to the public. It was during this period people began to add wellies to their outfits.
However, with this innovation came a new problem, manufacturers started using PVC instead of natural rubber to reduce the cost of production. Unfortunately, the solution they resorted to was not without its flaws. PVC is neither environmentally friendly nor biodegradable.
Can You Repair Wellies?
There is a popular saying; there is nothing like bad weather, just the wrong and inappropriate clothing. You noticed your wellies had been damaged after you recently used them, now you are wondering if you can repair it or throw it away and purchase a new one.
The answer is yes, you can repair wellies, but only if the damage is not too much. For example, if it is an old wellie, one that has deteriorated, repairing a small area will transfer the damage to other areas.
There are different types of adhesives available in the market that you can use to repair your wellies. However, the choice of adhesive you will use is determined by the damage on the wellie.
Adhesives like Sugru, Stormsure, Black Witch, Latex 61, amongst others, have been listed as some of the best adhesives to repair wellies. But, of course, you can also visit a store and ask for a good adhesive to repair your wellies, and you are sure to get a good one.
Regardless of the damage done to your wellies, you can repair it, and different step-by-step solutions will guide you in the process of repairing your wellies. A little search is all you need, and you will get everything you need to know about repairing damaged wellies.
Can You Put Wellies in the Recycle Bin?
In an attempt to keep the environment clean and safe for us to live in, you have thought of putting old and irrelevant items in the bin. While this is good because you show concern for the state of our environment, it might not be the best thing to do.
Many items we possess are non-biodegradable, and throwing them into the recycling bin only ends up taking space in the landfills; they do not decompose. This is not good for our environment at all.
So, you are worried if throwing your old wellie into the recycle bin is the best way to dispose of it. At this point, it gets a bit confusing because wellies are supposed to be produced from natural rubber, which is biodegradable. Still, to reduce production costs, manufacturers produce them from PVC, which is not biodegradable.
If you are sure that your wellie is produced from natural rubber, it is okay to dispose of it by putting it in the recycle bin. The question is, how do you know the type of rubber your wellie is produced from?
Rather than trying to find out the answer to the question above, there are better ways of recycling old wellies. Enduring the stress of recycling and having a better environment to live in is better than avoiding the stress and damaging our environment. So, this blog should inspire you to look beyond your comfort and save our environment by doing the right thing.
How Long Do Wellies Last?
There is one question everyone who purchases wellies has, how long will the wellies last? Of course, every store will provide an answer that will entice the buyer, but the only way to know the answer is by using the wellies.
There are different brands of wellies in the market, and the longevity of each wellie differs from others. So, you must not expect all wellies to have the same durability and longevity.
The original Hunter wellies were reported to have lasted for a very long time, and a customer said in his review that his wellies lasted for over nine (9) years. However, customers claim the new hunter wellies produced now are not as durable as the original hunters, so they do not last for more than 2 to 3 years. The only good news is that every hunter wellie purchased has a twenty-four months warranty.
A brand of wellies that you are guaranteed to last for a long time is the Le Chameau Vierzonord neoprene-lined wellingtons. These wellies are designed with dense soles that are very tough and durable. Some people attest to this fact, claiming their wellies have lasted for up to 3 years.
When wellies were first manufactured, durable materials were used in the production process, so the wellies lasted for a long time. However, as time passed, the need to minimize production costs while producing fashionable wellies has made manufacturers use different materials. Unfortunately, most of these materials are not as durable as natural rubber used to produce the first wellies.
Bottom line, your wellies will last for a long time only if you purchase original brands and you take proper care of them. For example, you can purchase a Le Chameau Vierzonord neoprene-lined wellie, but it will not last for as long as it is supposed to if you do not take proper care of it.
What Can You Do With Old Wellies?
With the decline in the quality of wellies produced now, you have a rack filled with old wellies, and you are thinking of how to dispose of them. You do not have to worry yourself; you can recycle them. You reduce your impact on the environment, and you reduce waste deposited in the environment.
Are you tired of keeping old wellies in your store? Are you tired of repairing old wellies and would like to get rid of them? There are different recycling ideas you can try out with your wellies, and you will have a great time trying them out, and sure, you will not regret any.
1. Make Welly Plant Pots
A very exciting recycling idea is to turn your old wellies into plant pots (Like the image at the top of this article). You get to design unique and colorful plant pots. If you have a lot of old wellies, you will find this idea very helpful. You beautify your home with flowers, you have unique plant pots, and the wellies add colors to your garden.
Here are some simple steps you can follow to make your welly plant pot.
- Wash the wellies with warm soapy water.
- Drain the water out of the wellie by drilling small holes in the sole of the boot.
- Fill the bottom of the wellie with pebbles, and it will drain the water and give the boot stability.
- Add compost into the boots, leave a space of two inches at the top for the seeds or flowers you want to plant.
- After planting your seeds, fill the wellie with compost and water.
If you follow these steps, you will turn all your old wellies into welly plant pots in no time.
2. Donate Them
There are charities where you can donate your old wellies still in good condition, and there are many people who will find them very helpful and be grateful to you. In addition, the winter season will leave the less fortunate with wet and cold feet; if they get your old wellies, imagine how grateful they will be.
You could also give your old wellies to people you know need them. For example, you will most likely see a homeless person who will appreciate your wellies despite being old. By doing this, you are affecting humanity positively, and you are saving our environment.
3. Wedding Centerpieces
This is probably the most innovative recycling idea for old wellies. Yes, you can use them as wedding centerpieces. But, to do this, you must be ready to dedicate time and resources to refurbishing the old wellies. First, the wellies need a make-over; you will need to clean them very well and respray them with beautiful colors. Then you can fill them with flowers and place each pair on a table.
You get to create a unique and beautiful wedding setting. This is something only a few people have seen before, and you start a new trend. With this idea, you have a unique wedding arrangement, become a pioneer, minimize cost, and save our environment.
Conclusion
Wellies are an essential clothing item for anyone living in the tropical and temperate regions of the world. But, without proper care and usage, it could cause damage to the environment. Therefore, when a wellie gets old and worn out, you should dispose of them properly.
We have provided a few innovative recycling ideas for your old wellies; if you have been disposing of them in the wrong way, please, this is the time to fix up and save our environment.
