EVA Recycling: From Gumshield Manufacturing to Sports Shoes

What happens to the material left behind when a Game Guard gumshield is manufactured?

At our Gloucestershire manufacturing facility, every gumshield starts with a moulding process.

As part of that process, a sprue (the runner attached to the moulding during manufacture) is created. We also occasionally produce gumshields that don't quite make the grade.

Rather than simply treating this EVA material as waste, our EVA recycling process sees it separated and collected so that it can be put to further use.

EVA Recycling: From Manufacturing Scrap to a New Raw Material

Our collected EVA manufacturing scrap is supplied to Milspeed, a Gloucestershire-based manufacturer with more than 35 years' experience producing footwear reinforcement materials.

At its UK facility, Milspeed has shredding, washing and pelletising capabilities that allow different waste materials to be processed and transformed into materials suitable for new manufacturing applications.

Our EVA gumshield scrap can be blended with other polyolefin materials, which may include materials recovered from sources such as used fishing nets and post-consumer bottles.

It's not simply a case of mixing everything together. The different materials need to be carefully tested and precisely blended to achieve consistent mechanical properties, including the required hardness and melt flow characteristics.

And Where Does It End Up?

This is where the journey gets particularly interesting.

The resulting compound can be supplied to injection moulders to manufacture heel counter components (the structural reinforcement found around the heel of a shoe), most commonly for sports footwear.

So, material that began as a runner attached to a Game Guard gumshield during manufacture can ultimately find a completely new purpose within another manufactured product.

Making Better Use of Manufacturing Waste

For us, it's a fascinating example of how materials from one manufacturing process can become a useful resource for another.

By separating our EVA sprues and rejected mouldings rather than simply allowing them to enter the general waste stream, the material has the opportunity to be processed, blended and put back into use.

It's a small behind-the-scenes part of how we manufacture Game Guard gumshields, but one we're very pleased to share.

Making materials last doesn't stop at the manufacturing stage either. Proper care can help keep your finished gumshield clean, hygienic and in good condition for longer. Read our guide to Mouthguard Care: How to Make the Most of Your Gumshield.

And when it comes to the finished product, knowing when a gumshield has reached the end of its useful life is important too. Read our guide to 5 signs it's time to replace your child's gumshield.

From gumshield manufacturing scrap to sports footwear… that's quite a journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About EVA Recycling

What is EVA?

EVA stands for ethylene-vinyl acetate. It is a flexible and resilient material used in a wide range of applications, including the manufacture of Game Guard sports gumshields.

What happens to EVA scrap from Game Guard gumshield manufacturing?

EVA sprues and rejected mouldings from our manufacturing process are separated and collected. The material can then be processed and blended with other materials before being put back into use in another manufacturing application.

Can EVA from gumshield manufacturing be recycled?

Yes. The EVA manufacturing scrap we collect can be processed and blended with other suitable materials to create a compound for further manufacturing applications.

What can recycled EVA gumshield material become?

The compound containing our reclaimed EVA can be supplied to injection moulders producing heel counter components, which provide structural reinforcement around the heel of a shoe and are commonly used in sports footwear.

Discover Game Guard

From manufacturing to the finished product, discover the Game Guard range of UK-manufactured sports gumshields.