Shoe recycling project has 'sole'
We all have them.
They are dirty, filthy things that many of us do not know how to handle when they get old. But there is a simple solution to dealing with aged gym shoes - 'go green.'
By recycling athletic shoes, students and community members can help out the environment, said Jackie LaMaire.
And for this Kentwood senior, that is what it takes to go 'green.'
"Students should think about how they can help the environment, because we are the generation that can make an extreme difference and be a positive influence for the future generation, such as the kids playing on the athletic courts made from reused shoes," LaMaire said.
Between April 27 and May 1, children can benefit from "Shoes to Reuse," a shoe drive that will recycle old gym shoes to sportswear company Nike. The company will then grind up the donated material and make athletic and playground surfaces across the country.
LaMaire is the co-producer of this event put on by five-person group in COM 401: Capstone in Communication.
"Promoting Shoes to Reuse on a college campus encourages students to think of others and the environment," LaMaire said. "This will help children because it is a great way for people to see how many things, even in poor condition, can be put to good use."
Drop boxes are available throughout this week where students and community members can donate their old shoes:
This includ
es the CMU Volunteer Center in the lower level of the Bovee University Center, the Towers Residence Hall lobby, and at Bennigan's, 2424 S. Mission St. in Mount Pleasant.
Other locations include outside of the Towers Residence Hall Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and at Kaya Coffee & Tea Co., 1029 S. University St. on Wednesday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Co-producer and Gaylord senior Matthew Pearson wants people to not only think of recycling as just returning plastics and box materials.
"We wanted to spark another 'going green' idea; perhaps one that people may not have thought about before," Pearson said. "Our goal is to help keep our environment as resourceful as possible which means reusing those things that have already been produced."
"Any effort, big or small, will encourage people of our generation to make an effort," LaMaire said. "Recycling just one pair of shoes is a small amount of effort but it has a ripple effect on others to make effort. It is time for people, (especially young people), to start caring about using more environmentally friendly lifestyle habits."
studentlife@gmail.com
