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Sneaker Impact: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | The Three Laws of More Responsible Consumers


Brands and retailers are built on selling as much product as possible. This creates a constant interchange of products being created, shipped and stored until the consumer enters a store and decides to purchase those items. Each of these steps contributes to harmful actions against the environment, but they can’t be eliminated or the economy in the U.S. comes to a halt. How can an economy based on consumption improve? How can consumers who want new, cool sneakers and apparel, become a bit more thoughtful in their consumption habits? Brands and retailers should implement information into the purchasing process in a non-intrusive manner. This is a slow and tedious process because retailers and brands are always looking at the bottom line. Sneaker Impact has a goal to educate consumers on becoming more responsible and since we aren’t in competition with brands and retailers, we can share the information needed to educate. This post is about the three Rs of environmental awareness.

Reduce

In the perfect world people would buy only what they need and not be maligned or mistreated for not wearing the coolest or best products and brands. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. Imagine if it were. People could limit the amount of products they buy and then they could donate to companies who would help to get footwear onto the feet of people in underserved and underdeveloped countries. This would be incredible. We realize that’s a big ask so what Sneaker Impact suggests is that you reduce the number of sneakers you purchase each year. If you’re a sneakerhead, you don’t need every new Jordan release. If you’re a running enthusiast, lengthen the life of your trainers by choosing a quality insert. If you don’t buy a lot, buy better and for specific events. Get yourself a brown shoe, a black shoe, a work shoe and a sneaker. Build your wardrobe to maximize the looks you can create. Whatever you decide, reduce your consumption. It’s good for the environment and for your wallet.

Reuse

If you’re a fan of Jack Johnson, or if you have children who watched Curious George, you may remember Johnson’s ode to the beaches he surfs. His song Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, pays homage to cleaner beaches and loving the planet. The growth of sneaker sales skyrocketed over the last twenty years. The shoes you can find at flea markets and by thrifting can produce results akin to visiting brand factory doors. If you don’t feel comfortable buying someone else’s older kicks. You can learn to extend the life of your sneakers by using products to clean and restore every style of sneaker. One of our favorite things to do is to work with small companies who will resole your old kicks. Companies like Vibram offer replacement outsoles. You can keep that broken in pair you love, get a new sole placed on the shoes and reuse those sneakers all over again. There are a number of ways to implement reusing into your daily routine.

Recycle

This is where we come in. You may have too many sneakers and you simply don’t have the time to list and sell your used shoes. You may not have the time to put them in your car and drop them off at your local thrift store. Recycling sneakers is not the same as cans or composting obviously. Sneakers don’t break down in the same way. Simply throwing sneakers in the trash is very problematic. That same sneaker can be cleaned and moved into a new economy for those who don’t have access to an unlimited number of sneakers. Recycling here means visiting our contact page and allowing us to assist you with spring cleaning and closet cleanups. We want you to have two garbage cans for recyclables, but we also want you to have two options for disposal. Sneaker Impact is here to help you learn about the three Rs and to be a part of your footwear strategy for recycling. Use this link to get started: Recycle – Sneaker Impact