Capitol Hill Helps Turn Shoes into Sports Surfaces

Oregon delegation collected old sneakers to recycle them into places for kids to play.

Washington, D.C.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Campaigning took on a whole new meaning during June as five House Members squared off, not over control of the House, but over collecting old sneakers.

Participating in Nike and the National Recycling Coalition's Capitol Hill Reuse-A-Shoe Challenge, the Oregon House delegation competed to collect as many worn-out athletic shoes as possible. These shoes will be recycled and turned into sports and play surfaces around the world.

Congressman Peter DeFazio was this year's winner, with his office collecting a record number of nearly 689 pairs of sneakers. Congressman DeFazio received a donation in his name that will go to a nonprofit organization of his choice to help get kids more physically active. The runner-up this year was the office of Congressman Greg Walden, with 473 pairs of shoes.

"Reuse-A-Shoe connects our long-term commitments of developing innovative ways of eliminating waste and promoting the physical activity of young people," said Orson Porter, Deputy Director of Government Relations, Nike.

"Capitol Hill has proven to be an excellent partner in our efforts to create new places for kids to play and be active. We thank the Oregon delegation for leading this effort."

"I'm proud that the 4th congressional district has regained its title in this year's Reuse-a-Shoe Challenge," DeFazio said. "It's tough work collecting, sorting and boxing ripe, well-used shoes in the heat of summer, but the staff and the community just ran with it. We hope to have then office aired out soon."

³I want to thank Nike and the National Recycling Coalition for organizing the Reuse-a-Shoe Challenge,² DeFazio continued. ³This program is a great example of where the rubber meets the road in promoting both physical fitness and recycling. Nike will process the shoes into Nike Grind which will be used to create high-quality sport surfaces of many different kinds.

Nike will donate athletic equipment to encourage kids in the 4th Congressional District to be physically active."

The drive brought out the full participation from all members of the Oregon House Delegation with Rep. Peter DeFazio, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Darlene Hooley, Rep.and Rep. David Wu breaking last year's record, collecting over 1,300 pairs of shoes this year. Congressional offices employed grassroots tactics, offering cookies, doughnuts and cheers of support in recognition of shoe donations.

"The National Recycling Coalition has collected nearly a quarter of a million shoes for Nike¹s Reuse-A-Shoe program - deriving enough Nike Grind material to create more than 20 tracks. Our partnership with Nike gives NRC members the opportunity to expand what can be collected through community recycling programs," said Kate Krebs, executive director of the National Recycling Coalition.

"I'm proud to report that Reuse-A-Shoe collection sites are now located within 15 miles of 37 percent of the U.S. population."