Dive Brief:
- Keep Scottsdale Beautiful (KSB) is partnering with American Textile Recycling Services to use shoes to resurface a basketball court.
- The organization is seeking just under 50,000 shoes that will be used in the construction of a homeless shelter’s basketball court.
- The event is also expected to illustrate the importance of recycling and sustainability. The community can drop off shoes in any condition to one of the collection sites set up around the city.
Dive Insight:
Researchers have uncovered methods that can convert components from used shoes into new products.
In fact, materials collected from footwear can be used in playground surfaces, running tracks, carpet padding, or insulation. And there's practically no end to the supply: In 2013, data showed that 95% of the 20 billion shoes made every year wound up in landfills.