Flip Flop Decor and More
Where do old flip flops go when they're done flipping?
Well, they become flip flop decor, of course!
Actually, old flip flops are often destined for centuries
in our landfills and threatened
the ocean life off Kenya's beaches.
Creative artists, however, came up with a solution
to keep flip flops from mucking up
the earth.
These innovative friends of the environment
have been recycling flip flops into
home decor, jewelry, artwork, floor mats
and more. And you know what?
They're pretty darn amazing!
Check out these colorful flip flop decor
and accessories and see if you don't wish
you'd thought of them first.
Photo used under Creative Commons from brungrrl.
Flip Flop Recycling
How they become flip flop decor

The flip flop is as common in Africa as socks are in the United States. It's standard footwear and many flip flops are lost while the residents are working on the beaches, fishing in the ocean, or simply walking around. Flip flops are grabbed by the waves and then wash back up on the African shores. This causes problems for the oceanic life in the area.
Citizens eventually figured out how to deal with this problem - the old "necessity is the mother of invention" saying comes to mind. Facing a huge ecological problem due to the number of flip flops washing onto their shores. The locals began to collect the washed up flip flops and process them into all sorts of art to be sold nationally.
In other locales, like Mexico, flip flop manufacturers provide the scraps of rubber left after making flip flops to artists for use in making decor and jewelry. They also give those scraps to other manufacturing operations for use in other products.
Photo used under Creative Commons from JoelBischoff.
Examples of Flip Flop Decor
These products have made their way to the US
The reclaimed flip flop is cut down to reveal its original color and untouched material and fashioned into jewelry or carved into animals. Floor mats, storage baskets and other flip flop decor are being made out of the colored rubber and they all look as bright as a fresh box of crayons.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byKenya's Flip Flop Solution
Documentary on how Kenya recycles flip flops
A long (25 minutes) - but beautiful - story about the trip of the flip flop in Kenya. See how the women in a small village of 500 people (with no electricity!) launch an international craft industry by recycling the flip flops that wash up on their shores. If you have the time, sit back with a cup of coffee or tea, kick off your flip flops and enjoy.
Video embedding was disabled for this video, however, if you double-click on the video itself, you'll be taken directly to You Tube so you can watch.
Flip Flotsam - Kenya
See full film here: http://www.booserver.com/projects.php?ProjectID=1693 October 2003 Ever wondered what happens to your footwear after you're finished with it? This week's award-winning and startlingly original documentary traces the fantastic journey of Africa's most popular shoes: the flip-flop. Easily bought, quickly discarded, the flip-flop stands as a symbol of the summer holiday for millions of westerners. But in its African homeland, it undergoes a series of versatile transformations. Filmed over a two year period, this startling and uplifting film takes an ingenious look at the lifecycle of the flip-flop. It's especially noteworthy for the beauty of its photography and editing. We guarantee you will have never seen anything like it.
curated content from YouTube
Recycled Flip Flop Art
All hand carved, these pieces of flip flop decor become the centerpiece of a child's room done in primary colors, the focal point in a college dorm room, or the display pieces in a collection of African art. Each piece of flip flop decor is different from the next because of the manual method in which these items are produced.

Recycled Flip Flop Bug - Kenya

Recycled Flip Flop Lobster - Kenya

Recycled Flip Flop Truck- Kenya
Recycled Flip Flop Jewelry
Flip flop jewelry, although made from the same materials as the bugs and cars, can have a more toned-down look, perfect for wearing to the beach or on a tropical island - even if you want to just pretend you're on a tropical island.

Recycled Flip Flop Sculpture Belt/Necklace - Kenya

Recycled Flip Flop Sculpture Belt/Necklace - Kenya

Recycled Flip Flop Bead Pendant Necklace - Kenya #1

Recycled Flip Flop Bead Pendant Necklace - Kenya #2

Recycled Flip Flop Bead Pendant Necklace - Kenya #8

Recycled Flip Flop Bead Bracelet - Blues

Recycled Flip Flop Blue and White Bead Earrings - Kenya
Flip Flop News
- Flip Flop Foundation
A charity organization dedicated to making life better for Zambian children by providing aid...and flip flops.
- Chestnut Hill Local News
A US teen delivers 10,000 pairs of flip flops to Nigerian children in need.
- Global Issues Organization
Read the story of UniqEco's recycling operation in Nigeria that turns reclaimed flip flops into flip flop decor.
Coolest Flip Flops
Americans can't resist our flip flops when the sun is out and cool, new designs are out now, too. And, no, we can't do with just one pair, either. We need them in all colors so we always have a pair to match our outfit.

PHOENIX-27BC107K - $ 22.98

BAMBINO - $ 9.97

BASIC FLIP WNS - $ 8.97

86834L - $ 25.98
Decorate Your Own Flip Flops
Make your own unique pair of flip flops

Craft stores are loaded with supplies you can use to personalize your own flip flops. Add some rhinestones, gems, bows, ribbon, paint them or stencil on a print. This is great project for a girls' slumber party, a bridal shower, or a baby shower.
Photo used under Creative Commons from protoflux.
Artists Flip Flop Work
Unique Flip Flops and Art Work
Blog Posts About Recycling
Recycling is hot, hot, hot. Read what other bloggers have to say about the very important push to go green.
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How You Can Help
I consider myself pretty adept at using Google for research but I could not find a place to which I could donate my old flip flops for recycling. I did find some possible tips such as donating them to artificial turf companies and to Good Will who may or may not send them on to shoe recyclers. I also came across Earth 911 which gives recycling locations by zip code for all sorts of recyclable products. Alas, here in the Valley of the Sun, I couldn't find a place that would take my cast-off flip flops.
Leave Your Flip Flops at the Door
Say hi!
I don't know about you, but there's nothing like a little browse through some flip flop decor to get me ready for summer and my own pair of flip flops.
Credit for the great backgrounds and border images goes to GRSites and Professional Animations.
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Reply
- luvmyludwig luvmyludwig Jul 18, 2009 @ 7:29 am
- amazing lens! I can't find anything askew.
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Reply
- Sojourn Sojourn Jun 14, 2009 @ 8:36 pm | in reply to Vacation-In-My-Head
- If you double click on the video, it will take you to YouTube so you can still watch it. It's very beautiful and worth the extra time so I've left it on the lens even though embedding is disabled. Thanks for the nice comment! I'm headed to Florida tomorrow, actually, for a few days of work. Need to remember to pack my own flip-flops!
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Reply
- Vacation-In-My-Head Vacation-In-My-Head Jun 14, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
- Wow, what a great lens! I now know what to do with my flip flops. I live in Florida so I always have several different ones. Just so you know the video no longer works though. 5*'s and faved
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Reply
- Ramkitten Ramkitten May 24, 2009 @ 12:36 am
- I'm amazed at all that neat stuff made from recycled flip-flops. That is so cool! I especially like those doormats. This is a really great idea for a lens. And you make them look so cool, too!
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Reply
- partybuzz partybuzz May 23, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
- I live in flip flops in the summer! I never thought about recycling them though...what a great idea! Great lens! Thanks for visiting my wolf bedroom lens.
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Sojourn's Bio
Lensmaster Sojourn has been a member since February 22 2009, has rated 826 lenses, favorited 286, and has created 117 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Lightning McQueen Games". See all my lenses
My Bio
Me? I'm just a busy mom with a hectic, full-time job who often procrastinates on her other home responsibilities by spending countless hours on the web or with my nose in a really, good book.




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