Can I do anything with old sneakers?
Around this time of year, many people are buying new shoes for back to school. It can be exciting…a fresh new pair of shoes that feels like you are walking on pillows. However, sometimes we don’t always think of what happens to the old shoes. In the United States, at least 200 million pairs of shoes end up in landfills each year. If that shocks your sole (pun intended) then read on.
Recycle your sneakers!
LEARN
While parts of the country may debate the name for those comfy athletic shoes - sneakers, tennis shoes or gym shoes - one thing we have in common is we all go through these regularly. We were shocked to learn the environmental impact just from making sneakers!! Believe it or not, manufacturing sneakers is one of the most carbon-intensive manufacturing processes. One cited study noted that manufacturing sneakers was responsible for 1.4% of our global emissions - which might not seem like a big deal, until you consider global air travel accounts for 2.5%.
Why is this the case? The manufacturing process for sneakers worldwide predominantly takes place in China, which is still very dependent on coal as an energy source. Additionally, most sneakers are made from synthetic materials like various plastics, which not only produce a lot of carbon dioxide in the manufacturing process, but it makes them completely non-recyclable.
While you cannot recycle your shoes at your curbside bin, we found a number of ways to reduce this particular "carbon footprint."
As adults, we can consider buying a higher quality shoe that might last longer. There are also a number of companies working to make shoes with more sustainable materials like wool and even plastic rescued from the ocean.
However, we know that as kids outgrow shoes, we need something to do with them besides tossing them in the trash and adding to the stats above. There are several options! If shoes are still in good condition, consider finding a friend who might love to get a gently used pair of shoes. (Side note: this author has a wonderful neighbor who gives awesome hand me downs in great condition and my daughter is BEYOND excited when she gets them!)
If handing down isn’t an option for you, drop off shoe recycling is the next best thing. Peruse the options below and see which one is the most convenient to your home, work, doctor’s office, etc. Then create a space in your home (a bag, bin in your garage, etc) where you can collect shoes and when you have enough, hit up one of these spots!
DO
1. Naperville Running Company (closest location in Downtown Wheaton). GENTLY USED/ GOOD condition only. They donate the shoes to homeless shelters and churches. Their Naperville locations also work with Share Your Soles.
Locations:
NRC Wheaton-102 W. Front Street
NRC North -34 W. Jefferson Naperville, IL
NRC South - 3416 S. Route 59 Naperville, IL
The Annex -20 W. Jefferson Ave. Naperville, IL
2. Dick Pond - ANY CONDITION. If in good condition, they have a source they work with where they are re-used. If the shoes are not in great condition, they recycle them. This is the same for all locations.
Locations:
26W515 St Charles Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188
2775 Maple Ave, Lisle, IL 60532
303 N 2nd St, St. Charles, IL 60174
3. Road Runner Sports - ANY CONDITION. They work with GotSneakers at all of their locations. GotSneakers has recycled and reused 3.5 million pairs of shoes (and counting!).
Locations:
Finley Square Shopping Center -1532 Butterfield Rd, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Springbrook Prairie Pavilion -2555 W 75th St, Naperville, IL 60540
4. Nike (closest location is the Nike Outlet in Oak Brook - 2155 W 22nd St) ANY CONDITION has a recycling program where they sort by condition and product is either donated to nonprofit partners or sent for recycling.
5.Wheaton Textile Recycling will also accept shoes in any condition (among many other items!) You can drop off items the 2nd Saturday of each month; Public Works Storage Lot; 820 W. Liberty Drive; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Did you know there's a Crocs mail back recycling program?!
6. Finally…calling all WHITE CROC LOVERS!! Crocs has a mail back program where, at no cost to you, gently worn shoes go to Soles4Souls to support opportunities for people in developing countries. Well-loved shoes stay out of landfills & are repurposed into something new!
If we all make these small efforts to be a little more aware of what we bring IN, and what we do with it when it needs to go OUT, it’s a shoe-in that we can make a difference.
PS - Around this time of year, many people also get new backpacks and lunch boxes for their kids. We can again apply the same logic as with shoes…if they are in good condition, consider reusing! But we also realize that sometimes backpacks and lunch boxes get used and abused (& stinky!) and may not work for another school year. Go Green Glen Ellyn recently found out that Staples is now accepting backpacks, lunch boxes and other school supplies in their recycling program!