Flip Flop Decor

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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.blogger statistics

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.

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Kenya'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.

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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

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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.

  • luvmyludwig Jul 18, 2009 @ 7:29 am | delete
    amazing lens! I can't find anything askew.
  • Sojourn Jun 14, 2009 @ 8:36 pm | in reply to Vacation-In-My-Head | delete
    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!
  • Vacation-In-My-Head Jun 14, 2009 @ 8:11 pm | delete
    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
  • Ramkitten May 24, 2009 @ 12:36 am | delete
    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!
  • partybuzz May 23, 2009 @ 8:19 pm | delete
    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

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Affiliate Disclosure

Erica Stone is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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Sojourn

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... more »

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