Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Old shoes will be collected by the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District now through Nov. 26. Schools, groups and organizations are encouraged to participate again this year. Last year the district had 27 participants and collected more than 11,000 pounds of shoes.
This is the sixth year for the program. In 1998, four participants collected 1,463 pounds of shoes.
Shoe collection keeps wearable shoes out of the landfill, where it takes 200 years for a pair to decompose.
Recovered shoes are distributed to needy individuals throughout the United States and overseas. Many are shipped to Third World countries. They go to families that, in some cases, have never had shoes to wear.
Work boots, tennis shoes, low-heeled, closed-toes shoes and any other type of work shoes are acceptable.
A company is interested in purchasing the work-type shoes, paying between 10 and 25 cents per pound. Proceeds will benefit participating schools and organizations.
The district also is collecting other usable shoes, such as sandals, heels, snow boots, Western boots, slippers and cleats. Theses shoes will go to local charities.
All shoes must be in pairs. Shoes with laces should be tied together; all others must be rubber-banded together. Shoes can then be put in boxes, heavy bags or burlap bags. Shoe pickup begins Dec. 1.
For more information, call Bendy Mann at the KC Recycling Depot, 372-3087. The Depot is at 220 S. Union St., Warsaw. Mann also is available to present environmental lessons on shoe recycling. E-mail: educationsource.earthlink.net.
