by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:45 PM ET, Thu August 13, 2026
Carnival Cruise Line is sending old sneakers and other unwanted footwear down a new path—one that doesn’t lead to the landfill.
The cruise line has partnered with Miami-based Sneaker Impact to launch a new shoe recycling initiative across its U.S. fleet. The program allows guests and crew to donate unwanted shoes, while also putting unclaimed footwear left behind on ships to better use.
Collected shoes are sent to Sneaker Impact’s Miami facility, where they’re sorted to determine the most sustainable next step.
Footwear that remains in good condition is made available to small business owners in developing countries, who can sell the shoes to generate income while providing more affordable footwear in communities where access may be limited.
Shoes that are no longer wearable still have a second life. Sneaker Impact separates and recovers their materials for use in products including athletic surfaces, yoga mats and footwear components.
The effort is already showing results. In July, five Carnival ships sent more than 500 pairs of shoes to Sneaker Impact, keeping them out of landfills.
“We're always looking for new ways to reduce waste and strengthen our sustainability efforts," says Benton Lobo, vice president of compliance and environmental operations for Carnival Cruise Line. “Scaled across our full fleet, we see the potential to give new life to about 50,000 pairs of shoes. It's proof that a small idea can add up to a real impact, both on board and in communities around the world."
Moe Hachem, chief executive officer of Sneaker Impact, is equally excited about the potential impacts of the new partnership.
“Together, we're making it easy for guests to give their unwanted footwear a second life through reuse and responsible recycling,” says Hachem. “We're excited to see how many pairs of shoes, and lives, we can impact together.”
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