MAYOR HANNEMANN PRESENTS

RECYCLE-A-SHOE CAMPAIGN FOR EARTH MONTH

(Wednesday, April 21, 2010) — Mayor Mufi Hannemann has announced that the City & County of Honolulu will celebrate Earth Month by collecting shoes to be recycled into play and sports surfaces. The Hawaii Nature Center and Best Buy Hawaii are among the co-sponsors urging residents to recycle their old athletic shoes at Honolulu Hale on Sunday, April 25 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

            “This is a wonderful opportunity during Earth Month to show that we care for our ‘aina,” Mayor Hannemann said.  “By recycling our old basketball and jogging shoes, we are reducing the amount of opala that would otherwise go to our landfill.”

Any brand of used athletic shoes can be recycled, but shoes with cleats will not be accepted.  The drive-thru drop-off collection point is at the King Street entrance to City Hall, where the Christmas tree is located during Honolulu City Lights.  Keiki in grades K-12 can win great prizes for the most shoes collected in their 2 age categories, K-6 and grades 7-12. .  Environmental booths and educational displays will be featured,, and free parking is available in the Municipal Parking Lot on Alapai and Beretania streets.  

            “I want to thank Hawaii Nature Center and Best Buy for stepping up to the plate to help us with this popular and worthwhile environmental project,” Hannemann said. “When the public and private sectors work together in partnership, we are able to create great opportunities for our people.  Our Recycle A Shoe campaign is a perfect example of that kind of collaboration.”