These Recycled Flip Flops Are Made of Yoga Mats and Tires

When it comes to timeless footwear, flip flops are a constant across cultures and generations—and they just keep growing in popularity as the years go by. About 3 billion pairs of flip flops are produced each year to meet the consumer demand, according to some estimates. But that kind of ubiquitousness comes at a price to our planet. Flip flops are notorious for clogging up landfills (and never breaking down), and they are a major source of plastic pollution in our oceans. But you don't have to give up your coveted beach sandals in order to help curb the problem. Instead, you can pick up a pair of comfy, cool recycled flip flops.

Best Lightweight: Animal Womens Swish Recycled Flip Flops ($33) ($44)

Best Wide Width: Sanuk Beer Cozy 2 ($44)

Best Platform: Indosole Platform Flip Flop ($42.50)

Best Everyday: Teva Reflip Sandal ($24, was $40)

Best for Foot Pain: LightFeet Arch Support Flip Flops ($34, was $40)

Best for the Beach: Quiksilver Men's Molokai Recycled Flip Flop Sandal ($21)

Companies are reusing some pretty clever materials to produce recycled flip flops that look just like the ones you're used to—and some of them even rival traditional flip flops in terms of comfort. Yoga mats, for instance, provide a springy, supportive sole that can feel like memory foam. Recycled EVA foam can create an orthopedic-grade flip flop that even has the elusive arch support, which used to be a rarity with this kind of footwear.

Ready to swap your flops for a sandal that uses recycled materials instead of plastic? Step right up and shop our favorite recycled flip flops.

These featherweight recycled flip flops for women are made using recycled polyester for the straps and recycled EVA for soft soles. They come in nine cute colors including coral, as seen above. Animal is a U.K.-based label that specializes in beachwear and is devoted to protecting our oceans.

Environmentally-conscious brand Sanuk is devoted to making the world a happier and cleaner place, and to that end, its Sanuk Beer Cozy 2 flip flops are made using bouncy recycled yoga mats as their soles (with a beer cozy texture — hence the name). The straps are vegan leather with a neoprene lining, and the shoe comes in four colors.

These particular Sanuks are especially great for men with wide feet. "I am a bigger guy and these shoes provide great comfort and are true to size," one shopper wrote. The brand also makes a variety of women's flip flops with recycled yoga mat footbeds.

If you prefer a flip flop with a bit of elevation, let these Indosole women's platform flip flops give you a lift. Their chunky soles are made of recycled tires, and their natural rubber contoured footbed has arch support built in. These are perfect for the pool as they're waterproof, too. Choose from three cute colors including Sea Salt, seen above.

Teva is doing the most when it comes to producing sustainable footwear, and its Reflip men's flip flops are proof. Like all Tevas, these use recycled plastic in the yarn for their straps and 30 percent recycled EVA in their cushy soles. Since transitioning all straps to recycled plastic in 2020, Teva has prevented about 40 million plastic bottles from ending up in landfills, according to the brand

Get ready for more comfort you thought possible with a flip flop. These unisex LightFeet flip flops were designed by Australian podiatrists, and feature ample arch support. They cradle your feet and provide shock absorption in a way that helps ease pain caused by conditions like plantar fasciitis and flat feet. They're made entirely of one piece of molded recycled EVA. These shoes are so green they've been Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified.

With a slip-resistant footbed made of recycled EVA and recycled rubber in the high-traction outsoles, these flip flops made with recycled rubber are the iconic surf brand Quiksilver's answer to sustainable manufacturing.