Give an Assist to Planet Earth
Recycle Your Used Athletic Shoes
School Collection Drive

The City of Tempe, Arizona Recycling Coalition, and Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program, announces a recycling and collection drive of used athletic shoes starting September 8, 2009, and ending December 14, 2009.  We invite your school to join the team and give planet Earth an assist by becoming a partner of the used athletic shoe collection drive.  The Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program promotes environmental stewardship and recycles athletic shoes into “Nike Grind”, a material used for sports and playground surfaces.  This helps reduce landfill waste and creates new places for people of all ages to play on. Tempe makes it easy to participate in the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program by filling out the form  Sign-up by completing the participation form and fax to (480) 350-8166.
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe School Participation form

 The game plan is listed below:

STEP 1:  Getting Started
Contact the City of Tempe Public Works/Solid Waste Services Program and sign up to become a collection drive team member.  Receive informational posters and athletic shoe recycling/collection bin by calling (480) 350-8224 or click on the link: Container Pick-up

STEP 2: Get Organized
Get the word out.  Announce the used athletic shoe drive at as many places as possible and let everyone know.  Display posters announcing the collection drive in prominent places. Set collection goals. Try setting a goal for the number of used shoes to be collected. Consider creating collection teams either by grade or classroom to foster competition.  Select the best place or location to put the shoe collection bin.

STEP 3: Ensure the Success of the Program
To keep the used shoe drive running smoothly, here are a few guidelines for recycling:

• Any brand of athletic shoes are okay

• Athletic shoes only

• Remove metal eyelets

• No cleats or spiked athletic shoes

• No sandals or dress shoes

STEP 4:  Collection of the Used Athletic Shoes
Check out the collection bins regularly to make sure the bins are not overflowing.  To have the collection bins emptied call (480) 350-8224, Public Works Department/Solid Waste Program. 

STEP 5:  Keep the Momentum Going until December 14, 2009.
Keep the momentum going with regular announcements of how many shoes have been collected!  The school team with the highest number of used athletic shoes collected will be announced at a scheduled event.  Athletic Shoe drive updates will be posted on this website.