How to Recycle Old Sneakers
Instead of throwing out your old sneakers, you have the option of having them recycled. Recycled sneakers are used to make surfaces that are put down on playgrounds, basketball courts and tracks. Recycling your sneakers prevents their valuable material from going to waste.
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Instructions
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Find a program that recycles old sneakers. A popular one that many people use is the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program. So far, Nike has recycled over 20 million sneakers.
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Collect several pairs of old sneakers. Before you drop off your old sneakers, take up a household collection, so that you have several to donate. The sneakers can be worn and dirty; there are no guidelines about the condition that they need to be in.
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Locate a drop-off center where they accept old sneakers. Reuse-a-Shoe has drop-off spots in numerous metropolitan locations. They accept any type of sneaker; they do not have to be Nike brand.
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Mail the shoes in to be recycled if you can't find a nearby drop-off location. The address for the Reuse-a-Shoe program is on Nike's website.
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Follow the guidelines before you drop off or send in the recycled sneakers. Most places won't accept sneakers that contain metal or that can be considered cleats.
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Tips & Warnings
You can look for bins as well in your community that takes up a collection of old sneakers. These typically are located alongside clothing bins sponsored by organizations such as the Salvation Army.
Don't send in damp sneakers to be recycled. They are usually just discarded.
