What We Do
Undeniably, the “green” movement is here.
The green movement is a collective term for the individuals and organizations involved in efforts to protect the environment. In many ways, we are all a part of the green movement.
As individuals, we recycle bottles, cans, and plastics. We recycle our newspapers and junk mail. We turn old print outs into scrap note paper, we’re using “greener” detergents, and we keep our thermostat at 68 in the winter and 75 in the summer.
In the store, we recycle the cardboard boxes that products are delivered in. We use 5 gallon DeerPark water via a dispenser to avoid individual 16oz. disposable water bottles. We all carry re-usable hydration packs or handheld bottles when running or walking.
When possible, we use returned shoes to fit Special Olympics athletes participating in running programs throughout the area.
We’ve recycled shoes for a very long time.
The shoes are collected by an organization called Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation (PPPF) and sent to Africa where they are sold to vendors in major metro areas who in turn create jobs. The money from the sale of the shoes provides training and tools to the poorest rural farmers. Another well known running shoe recycling program that you may have heard of is Soles for Souls.
Though all of this was good, it didn’t seem like enough. So, when our team started wondering and thinking about how we could become more “green,” after doing some research, we came to several different conclusions:
- Some people prefer to see their donations used in their local communities; and
- Recycling doesn't have to be limited to shoes.
Clothes
Clothing makers have introduced new fabrics that are “eco-friendly.” This means that the fibers used in the clothing are environmentally friendly, coming from either organic plants, recycled plastics, or from fibers derived from plants such as bamboo. In fact, some of the apparel that we carry actually features these eco-friendly fibers. There is, however, debate about whether or not these fibers are truly eco-friendly since some argue that it takes more energy to produce these fibers.
Clothing makers are developing programs for recycling both in their factories and with consumers. In 2005, Patagonia introduced their “Common Thread Program” that allows consumers to send back used Patagonia apparel for recycling.
The Sustainability Working Group (SWG) of the European Outdoor Group (EOG) said September 11 that it had begun working on a business model for an industry-wide "End of Life" program. The SWG will work with retailers, brands, suppliers, waste disposal contractors, government agencies, consumers, universities and media to identify best practices next year. It aims to deliver a business model in 2011 that addresses the many obstacles to recycling apparel and get at least 10 major brands to commit to a pilot program in 2012.
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), which announced September 23 2009 a framework to cooperate with EOG on sustainability issues. That effort will be led by Petzl and Patagonia. The hope is a collaborative effort will succeed in a bigger way than individual efforts of years past.
We are proud to announce what we believe is the first fitness apparel re-use and recycling program in the region.
Recycled apparel is redistributed to individuals and organizations in our local running and walking community. If we can’t find a home locally, we’ll send it to global organizations where it will find an international home.
We now have a second shoe collection box. For those that prefer to see their running and walking shoes put to use locally, drop them in, we’ll clean them up and redistribute appropriately. Again, we’ll redistribute to the global organization PPPF, if there is no place local.