Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Sneaker Edition
“Reduce, reuse, recycle. Almost anything can be recycled – even ratty, old sneakers. Give your sneakers a 2nd life! Donate them or have a sneaker drive to collect used sneakers.”
Eco Sneakers’ founder, Bobby Johnson, grew up in poverty and knows what it is like to go without shoes. So, Eco Sneakers grew out of a passion to help people in need, all while simultaneously helping the environment. At first, Eco Sneakers started by collecting gently used sneakers for the homeless. However, today some sneakers are sent abroad, creating distribution jobs. Of course, others that are too tattered to re-wear, are recycled into athletic surfaces for football fields, basketball courts, and running tracks.
Entirely Recyclable
Eco Sneakers has been connecting with businesses, government agencies, hospitals, schools, and sports organizations in the metropolitan areas. As well as, engaging them in friendly competitions and fundraisers for sneaker drives. Their mission is to collect as many pairs of used sneakers as possible.
Eco Sneakers has collected over 300,000 sneakers, averaging 3,000 to 5,000 per month.
Made with a material called ethylene-vinyl, the midsoles of shoes can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. This durable material is recyclable. Which is a better option than languishing in a landfill.
Stop Wasting Water
According to Eco Sneakers, it takes approximately 3,000 recycled sneakers to make a basketball court. And, 100,000 sneakers for an artificial football field or running track It can take approximately 2200 gallons of water to make just 1 pair of leather sneakers. So, repurposing those shoes helps us to save water. Save water, donate your shoes to EcoSneakers.org.
www.ecosneakers.org or call (404) 388-0088.
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