By Sister Carole Shinnick, SSND
I recently bought a new pair of sneakers to replace my vintage “pandemic” pair. I asked the salesperson at the store of a well-known international brand if they recycled old sneakers, but no, they did not.
After minimal research online I discovered a helpful resource, Sneaker Impact. There I learned that 87% of sneakers purchased in the U.S. end up in landfills, both here, and even more distressing, in impoverished countries that we pay to take in our garbage.
I requested a bag to collect sneakers and the company sent me a large prepaid Fed Ex bag that holds six or seven pairs. I invited friends and neighbors to contribute, which they happily did. I sent that off and requested another bag.
Sneaker Impact’s mission is to significantly reduce the sneakers dumped in landfills, by sorting, breaking down, and repurposing the shoes’ material composites, and by refurbishing “gently used” sneakers for persons who need footwear.
Sneaker Impact is part of the movement known as “the circular economy,” whereby the makers of products build an earth-friendly recycling option into their products. Those products can then be used for another life.
Perhaps you have seen ads from Coca Cola and Pepsi about the bottles they use that can be recycled repeatedly. Some blue jean companies do the same thing with denim. What is more omnipresent in our world today than Coke, blue jeans, and sneakers?
I learned there are similar programs working in Canada. One is “GotSneakers?” Another is “Soles 4 Souls” which collects both clothes and shoes. They both look terrific.
This could be a great educational opportunity and another way to enact our Laudato Si commitment.
Individuals and small groups could request the FedEx bags. Larger organizations could fill boxes that hold 36 pairs of shoes.
If you are in a school or a parish setting, or in one of our larger residences, consider giving this a try. It is easy. It is free. It is who we say we are.
As Nike tells us - Just do it!”
