We’re excited about Earth Day this week, and we hope you are too! Recently, we wrote an Earth Day article that tells you everything you need to know. But we know that sometimes people procrastinate in taking some action for the environment. If that’s what happened to you, no worries. We’ve got you covered. Today we want to share something you might not have thought about—recycling worn out sneakers.
You see, you could join thousands of others who are recycling worn out sneakers for the environment. It’s one of the best things you could do, and we’ll tell you why. First, did you know that textiles represent significant portions of garbage taking up space in landfills? Things like clothing and sneakers take up a tremendous amount of space in landfills, and in the process, it hurts the environment.
Why Recycling of Athletic Shoes and Sneakers Matters
When items begin to decompose, some of them release toxins into the atmosphere. In other words, invisible poisons get emitted, which is why there seems to be a higher incidence of respiratory diseases by people who live near landfills. Moreover, athletic shoes and sneakers could take an entire human lifetime to decompose, or as much as 1,000 years! Think about that the next time you purchase a new pair of kicks, which is why recycling worn out sneakers is essential.
Most people may not realize it, but shoes have dozens of parts. In other words, it’s not just the uppers and soles. In fact, there’s an anatomy to shoes and sneakers, if you will. As we said, sneakers and athletic shoes have dozens of pieces stitched and glued together. Some of those parts include the tongues, sole, sneaker collar, toe caps, and eyelets. If sneakers end up in the trash and landfills, it takes entire generations to disintegrate fully. So, what if we told you that you could recycle sneakers and make a massive difference in your community and the planet?
Do Something Uniquely Awesome for Earth Day
As you may know, the world is trying to arrest the challenges we have around climate change. That’s why a day like Earth Day exists. In short, it serves as a reminder that we each play a part in helping the environment and all living things on the planet. We have another question for you we’ll ask. Have you ever heard of getting paid to recycle sneakers and athletic shoes? Well, here’s what it’s about in case you haven’t heard about it. We’re sure once you learn a little more about it, you’ll decide to join the sneaker recycling movement.
By recycling worn out sneakers but gently worn, used and new athletic shoes, you have a chance to do a lot of great things. For example, let’s say you’re associated with a gym, sports club, or team, and you want to raise funds for new equipment or events. Well, when you recycle gently worn, used and new sneakers, you collect the athletic shoes of your group, as well as those in your community. Those sneakers become currency, as in money. When you partner with a leading sneaker recycling program partner, you receive a check for athletic shoes you collect.
So, imagine signing up on Earth Day to raise money for your sports-related cause without asking for anything more than sneakers! What’s more, when you recycle sneakers and athletic shoes, the good things don’t end with your cause. There’s more. You become a place where people could drop-off their gently worn, used and new sneakers and athletic shoes. That allows you to speak about your work, sports club, or store with others as a socially responsible citizen. But there’s something else. When you recycle sneakers, you also help the planet and other people in developing nations to help themselves.
Giving a Hand-Up by Recycling Sneakers and Athletic Shoes
Imagine giving people living in poverty an opportunity just by recycling worn out sneakers. As we mentioned, you could raise funds for your group by collecting sneakers. In the process, of course, you help the environment because kicks don’t end up in landfills and have a longer lease on life. How does the life of sneakers get extended? That happens when the sneakers and athletic shoes get shipped worldwide to more than 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs around the planet.
When people live in poverty, one of the most significant challenges is economic opportunity. In other words, many have to create their own work opportunities. And one of those activities for work comes from selling recycled sneakers and athletic shoes collected by North American people. So, you see, there’s a whole economic pipeline that starts when you decide to gather and recycle sneakers and athletic shoes.
Learn more on Earth Day and then decide to repurpose your running shoes and sneakers.
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