2008 Woodie Awards
OEP On Pace To Reach Sneaker Recycling Goal
Kate King
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: News
The Office of Environmental Policy (OEP) is hoping to recycle 4,000 pounds of sneakers this year during its annual sneaker recycling program, which collects sneakers for reuse as track and playground surfaces, tennis courts and field turfs.
The 4,000 pound objective is a goal well within reach, according to Dan Britton, sustainability coordinator for the OEP. This year, the Farmington Health Center is participating in the recycling drive and has already donated 1,500 pounds of sneakers. Last year, the drive collected 3,160 sneakers.
"The goal is to collect 4,000 pounds of sneakers and I think we are well on our way," Britton said.
There are 32 drop-off locations around campus where students can donate sneakers to the recycling drive, according to Leah Giffin, OEP intern and an 8th-semester environmental policy and legal studies major. Collection bins are located at most residence and dining halls as well as at the Co-op, library and Student Recreation Facility.
The drive, which began March 19, will culminate on April 22 - Earth Day - with the Mount Sneaker Expo, Giffin said. A large dumpster will be placed in Fairfield Way to hold all the sneakers collected during the recycling drive. Prizes will be given out to people who stop by and recycle their sneakers on Earth Day. In past years, a basketball hoop has been attached to the back of the dumpster so students can "shoot" their sneakers into the dumpster, Britton said.
The Mount Sneaker Expo will be one of several activities taking place on Fairfield Way April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. Other events include free performances by the band "Revision," free bike tune-ups and a cookout with local and organically grown food such as hamburgers, hot dogs and UConn Dairy Bar ice cream.
At the end of the Earth Day celebration, the dumpster of recycled sneakers will be taken away by Willimantic Waste, according to Giffin.
"Willlimantic Waste is the recycling center that works with Nike and recycles the sneakers," Giffin said. The donation is part of the Nike program Reuse-A-Shoe, which converts the rubber from used sneakers into playground and athletic surfaces, according to the OEP and EcoHusky Web site.
Since Nike began its Reuse-A-Shoe program, more then 20 million pairs of recycled sneakers have been used to build more than 250 sport surfaces, according to the Nike Web site. It takes approximately 2,500 pairs of shoes to make basketball courts, outdoor tennis courts and playgrounds.
Contact Kate King at
Katherine.King@UConn.edu.
The 4,000 pound objective is a goal well within reach, according to Dan Britton, sustainability coordinator for the OEP. This year, the Farmington Health Center is participating in the recycling drive and has already donated 1,500 pounds of sneakers. Last year, the drive collected 3,160 sneakers.
"The goal is to collect 4,000 pounds of sneakers and I think we are well on our way," Britton said.
There are 32 drop-off locations around campus where students can donate sneakers to the recycling drive, according to Leah Giffin, OEP intern and an 8th-semester environmental policy and legal studies major. Collection bins are located at most residence and dining halls as well as at the Co-op, library and Student Recreation Facility.
The drive, which began March 19, will culminate on April 22 - Earth Day - with the Mount Sneaker Expo, Giffin said. A large dumpster will be placed in Fairfield Way to hold all the sneakers collected during the recycling drive. Prizes will be given out to people who stop by and recycle their sneakers on Earth Day. In past years, a basketball hoop has been attached to the back of the dumpster so students can "shoot" their sneakers into the dumpster, Britton said.
The Mount Sneaker Expo will be one of several activities taking place on Fairfield Way April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. Other events include free performances by the band "Revision," free bike tune-ups and a cookout with local and organically grown food such as hamburgers, hot dogs and UConn Dairy Bar ice cream.
At the end of the Earth Day celebration, the dumpster of recycled sneakers will be taken away by Willimantic Waste, according to Giffin.
"Willlimantic Waste is the recycling center that works with Nike and recycles the sneakers," Giffin said. The donation is part of the Nike program Reuse-A-Shoe, which converts the rubber from used sneakers into playground and athletic surfaces, according to the OEP and EcoHusky Web site.
Since Nike began its Reuse-A-Shoe program, more then 20 million pairs of recycled sneakers have been used to build more than 250 sport surfaces, according to the Nike Web site. It takes approximately 2,500 pairs of shoes to make basketball courts, outdoor tennis courts and playgrounds.
Contact Kate King at
Katherine.King@UConn.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
vicki lugo
posted 4/15/08 @ 1:27 PM EST
My first grade class would like to know where we can recycle sneakers in San Diego, CA? Hopefully there is a place near us.... Thanks so much!
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