The perfect way to get rid of our old athletic shoes can now be found in the main hallway.
Shoe donation boxes can be found in the main hallway at TJ. photo by Manny Perez
What once began as a program for recycling old shoes in Nike stores, is now beginning to benefit many schools and recreation areas throughout the U.S. TJ is pleased to have the “Reuse-A-Shoe” program taking place from February 18 through March 6.
The Tamarac Optimist Club is a proud sponsor of programs such as this one, which will benefit our community, school and students. “By recycling an old pair of shoes you can prevent them from being a waste and clogging up a landfill,” said Optimist Club representative Sandy Harden.
The shoes donated are processed and recycled into material used in sports surfaces like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds, that will be available for use for many young people around the country. “I think it’s great that we are beginning to be environmentally conscious about our surroundings. This program will not only give us an opportunity to get rid of the shoes we don’t wear any more, it will also benefit out schools and communities,” said Feben Asfaw, a junior who is glad to TJ “going green.”
“A member of the club came up with this idea when he found an article about this program, which is benefiting schools around the area,” said Harden. There have been collection boxes for “Reuse-A-Shoe” program in Hamilton and Samuels Middle Schools, Holm and Holly Hills Elementary schools, along with athletic parks and a few 24-Hour Fitness Gyms.
In order to recycle your shoes for the Nike “Reuse-A-Shoe” program there are only a few guidelines you need to follow:
1. Athletic shoes only. It doesn’t matter what brand, color or style.
2. No shoes containing metal.
3. No cleats.
4. No wet or damp shoes.
All of the shoes collected are then sent to the Boulder plant, which is servicing the shoes collected in our area. They are ground up and made into the surfaces that will be used in different sports areas around our community. “The shoes you give will help to give back to our local schools,” added Harden. Just by donating an old pair of shoes you can help stop landfills from clogging and give kids the opportunity to play on a brand new basketball court.
