Instead of just throwing away your old shoes when you’re done with them, make the world a greener and happier place! Here's a couple of options:
1. For shoes with holes – or worse! – you can recycle them with Nike’s Reuse-a-shoe program. They grind the shoes up and make rubber pellets that are used to surface playgrounds, tennis courts, running tracks or to make synthetic turf for soccer and football fields. Send up to 10 pairs at a time. This is definitely a worthwhile second life for your old shoes! Mail them to:
Nike Recycling Center
c/o Reuse-A-Shoe
26755 SW 95th Ave.
Wilsonville, OR 97070
2. For shoes with 100 miles left on them: Send your shoes to runners that are in need of shoes in Africa. Since they will be used again with this program, they should be in relatively good condition, so nothing too shredded!
PLEASE MAIL SHOES TO;
Shoe4Africa
PO Box 6943
Eldoret
Kenya
Q. Do I need to wash them, and what condition should they be in?
A. Shoes can be sent by us, or by you. Sending shoes is the priority, not how clean they are. We like to send shoes that at least have 100-miles worth of wear left in them. This is because we are using the shoes to start the recipient off on a health-drive! Asking them to get fit, get empowered... for the long run. Shoes where the heel or the rubber is worn through to the midsole are not sent. (Please as we end up paying import tax on a lot of shoes in a very decrepid un-usable state)
Q. What is the best way to package the shoes? Is there an official Info US Postal page?
A. Please send in a plain brown cardboard box securely wrapped with plenty of tape. Use USPS Express Mail Intnl shipping method.
Q. What is the best method for shipping?
A. Please send boxes USPS Express Mail International, which usually takes about 6-8 weeks for delivery. (If sending from the USA)
Q. Do I use Insurance, what do I declare, and what boxes should I tick.
A. Please send as an uninsured gift, and not to be returned. The declared amount for 15-pairs of used shoes is marked as $15 ( a subjective amount as the sales value is very low and taxes are charged to the locals upon delivery).
Q. Can I send clothing too?
A. Kenya is currently not accepting donations of secondhand clothes.
Q. What do I declare on the customs slip?
A. Exactly what is in the box - used running shoes.
Q. What happens to the shoes once they arrive? Do the shoes 'always arrive'?
A. The shoes go to trusted coaches who have a proven track record to distribute the shoes amongst athletes. We have a fabulous record so far with the boxes arriving (non returned), but the idea is if a box did not arrive at least it would have been stolen enroute by people who need the shoes!
Q. Can I send any type of shoes? Are some sizes better than others?
A. Most needed are running shoes, secondary spiked shoes, and thirdly leisure shoes. The most popular sizes needed are US6 to US10 (men's). The most needed size? Women's US 8!
If you have questions not answered by those above please feel free to email us. And we welcome your comments! Please contact us with any ideas how to better improve this program, and spread the word. Email: info@shoe4africa.org.
