MGPL Going Green

Wondering what to do with that ratty, old pair of athletic shoes stuffed in the back of your closet?  Don’t throw them out – recycle them!  Nike and the National Recycling Coalition are partners in the Reuse-A-Shoe program, which promotes recycling athletic shoes to give them new life.  Donated shoes are separated into parts – rubber, foam, and fabric – and then ground up to produce surfacing materials for athletic fields, playgrounds, and more.  It takes about 2,500 shoes to create the surface of a playground, while it takes about 75,000 to produce enough rubber to surface a running track.

Donating shoes is easy.  Just drop off up to 10 pairs of athletic shoes at an authorized Reuse-A-Shoe location, or mail them to Nike’s recycling facility (you pay for shipping costs).  Luckily, if you live in Morton Grove or in the vicinity, there’s a drop-off location in Skokie at 4999 Old Orchard Ctr. Suite B6 (847-763-1529).  Not all shoes are suitable for recycling; flip-flops, dress shoes, boots, and metal-containing shoes are not accepted.