How You Can Help (raise awareness and decrease the impacts of shoes)
What happens to shoes once they are disposed of?
An estimated 20 billion shoes get produced each year and about 300 million of those shoes end up in landfill. Shoes that don't get sold are often thrown out by large shoe companies. Many people simply throw out their shoes when they are small or slightly worn out. Leather shoes can take 24 to 40 years to decompose while rubber soles can take as long as 80 years! In addition to the materials, shoes are often produced using chemicals such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, which is used to make the sole of the shoe and takes 1000 years to decompose. Here are a few alternatives to simply tossing your shoes in the garbage.
An estimated 20 billion shoes get produced each year and about 300 million of those shoes end up in landfill. Shoes that don't get sold are often thrown out by large shoe companies. Many people simply throw out their shoes when they are small or slightly worn out. Leather shoes can take 24 to 40 years to decompose while rubber soles can take as long as 80 years! In addition to the materials, shoes are often produced using chemicals such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, which is used to make the sole of the shoe and takes 1000 years to decompose. Here are a few alternatives to simply tossing your shoes in the garbage.
Donation:
Old shoes are often still in good shape and can be worn by someone else. Instead of throwing your shoes out, look for local charities that accept worn shoes. Donation reduces the amount of shoes that end up in landfill and puts your shoes to good use. The Canadian Diabetic Association allows for shoes and other clothing items to be dropped off. 100% of net proceeds go to charity. Each year, this organization diverts 48 million kilograms of clothing and household items away from landfill. It's a win-win.
Old shoes are often still in good shape and can be worn by someone else. Instead of throwing your shoes out, look for local charities that accept worn shoes. Donation reduces the amount of shoes that end up in landfill and puts your shoes to good use. The Canadian Diabetic Association allows for shoes and other clothing items to be dropped off. 100% of net proceeds go to charity. Each year, this organization diverts 48 million kilograms of clothing and household items away from landfill. It's a win-win.
Recycle
Old shoes that are too worn out and cannot be donated can go too good use as well. Nike's Reuse-a-shoe campaign allows for people to drop off old athletic shoes which are then taken apart and sorted by material to be made into other goods. Running shoes are taken apart and divided into fiber, rubber and foam. They are then ground up and made into playground and athletic surfacing. It's a great way to give your shoes a new life. Many Nike stores have drop offs or send your shoes to Nike's recycling center at:
Nike Grid Processing
3552 Avenue of Commerce
Memphis, TN 38125
Old shoes that are too worn out and cannot be donated can go too good use as well. Nike's Reuse-a-shoe campaign allows for people to drop off old athletic shoes which are then taken apart and sorted by material to be made into other goods. Running shoes are taken apart and divided into fiber, rubber and foam. They are then ground up and made into playground and athletic surfacing. It's a great way to give your shoes a new life. Many Nike stores have drop offs or send your shoes to Nike's recycling center at:
Nike Grid Processing
3552 Avenue of Commerce
Memphis, TN 38125
