Carnival Cruise Line has become the first cruise line to partner with Sneaker Impact, a Miami-based organization dedicated to keeping footwear out of landfills, to launch a new shoe recycling initiative across its U.S. fleet. The program gives guests and crew an opportunity to give unwanted shoes a second life while supporting its ongoing efforts to reduce waste and advance circular economy practices.
Through the initiative, unclaimed shoes left behind on board, as well as those donated by guests and crew, are collected and sent to Sneaker Impact’s Miami facility for evaluation and processing, helping divert footwear that might otherwise end up in landfills. Using its proprietary sorting system, Sneaker Impact determines the most sustainable path for each pair.
Sneaker Impact then offers shoes in good condition to small business owners in developing countries who can sell the footwear to generate income while helping provide affordable shoes in areas where access may be limited.
For shoes that can no longer be worn, the journey doesn’t end there. Sneaker Impact recycles them by separating and recovering materials that can be repurposed into products such as athletic surfaces, yoga mats, footwear components and more.
“We’re always looking for new ways to reduce waste and strengthen our sustainability efforts,” said Benton Lobo, vice president of compliance and environmental operations. “In July, with just five of our ships offloading shoes, we kept more than 500 pairs out of landfills in a single month. 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.”
“Sneaker Impact is honored to partner with Carnival Cruise Line, as they share our commitment to sustainability and making a positive impact. Together, we’re making it easy for guests to give their unwanted footwear a second life through reuse and responsible recycling. We’re excited to see how many pairs of shoes, and lives, we can impact together,” said Moe Hachem, CEO of Sneaker Impact.
With this first-of-its-kind partnership, Carnival Cruise Line is continuing to advance momentum on Carnival Corporation’s sustainability strategy, which stretches across all its eight brands. More updates on this strategy can be found in the 2025 Sustainability Report.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
