It is estimated that more than 1 million tonnes of textiles which include shoes are thrown away every year in the UK, with most of this coming from household sources. Textiles make up about 3% by weight of a household bin. At least 50% of the textiles we throw away are recyclable; however, the proportion of textile wastes reused or recycled annually in the UK is only around 25%.

Wrap, the Government agency in charge of reducing waste said that UK consumers have around £30 billion worth of clothing including shoes they haven’t worn for a year which is just sitting around in their wardrobes. 

Source: https://www.wrap.org.uk/content/wrap-reveals-uks-%C2%A330-billion unused-wardrobe 

Consumers purchase 2.15 million tonnes of new clothing and shoes each year in the UK. In order to make room for all the new clothes, they are throwing away the old. Over 1.4 million tonnes of clothing and shoes are sent to UK landfill every year. Much of this can be worn again. 

Source: www.traid.org.uk/oenviro.html