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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 29, 2007

Nike wants your old — even fetid — sneakers

Advertiser Staff

The Second Annual Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Niketown store in Waikiki. Nike has set a goal of recycling 20,000 shoes from Honolulans.

Last year, Nike received more than 12,000 shoes, and so it's raising the goal this year. Organizers have also stocked up on Lysol to neutralize the aroma of more pungent donations.

Brian Goldstein, Nike district marketing manager for Chicago; Denver; Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Honolulu, is on the scene from his home base in Chicago to oversee the event. According to Goldstein, the Reuse-A-Shoe program in Honolulu is the largest in the world for all Niketown cities.

On the site, Nike has posted exhibits showing how shoes are recycled into play or sports surfaces.

More than 60 schools will be dropping off shoes they've collected, as they vie to win sports equipment Nike has offered as an incentive.

Those who drop off a pair of old shoes at Niketown will get a certificate for $10 off any Nike footwear.

The rules: Any brand is acceptable. Worn shoes are OK, but wet or muddy shoes will not be accepted. No metal, cleats or spikes. Sneakers only — and they should not be tied together or placed in plastic bags.

Also on the schedule:

  • A Creative Kicks contest. Art created from old shoes will be judged — and a winner receives a new pair of shoes.

  • Live music, free Jamba Juice, an environmental display and free popcorn from Matson.

  • Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Fire Chief Ken Silva will arrive by fire truck at 1 p.m., with hundreds of shoes collected from fire stations islandwide.

  • Mayor Hannemann will announce the school and shoe winners at 2 p.m.

  • Shoes will be put into a Matson container to await shipment to Oregon for processing into Nike Grinds.

    Information: 983-5804.