Running a Sustainable Company: It’s a Grind

The brand ‘Nike’ and sports run through our head synonymously.

Nike has been a longtime staple in both the sponsorship and outfitting of the world’s sports and athletes. They have made a huge impact in the culture, performance, and image of modern day sports. This we all know.

What I didn’t know is that Nike is also setting an example in how to reuse your old products to create new opportunities. Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program takes donations of old Nike shoes, grinds them up, and turns them into different sports surfaces such as tracks and tennis courts.

This got me thinking that it was about time that somebody thought of recycling their own shoes and making them into something else. Then I noticed that they began this program in 1990! That blew my mind, and kind of embarrassed me that I had not heard of Reuse-A-Shoe before today.

Nike is working on becoming a more environmental responsible company. On the projects website they had this to say about their mission, “Reuse-A-Shoe and Nike Grind work with Nike”s Considered Design philosophy – a company wide ethos built around designing the best products for the best athletes while using the most sustainable methods possible.”

Eventually Nike wants to use the same recycling process on developing new products. Not only is this a brilliant business move (eliminates cost) but is going to reduce the effect that their brand has on the environment.

To get involved you can get more information on their website on how to get your old shoes to them. They encourage people to clean out their closets, get together a shoe drive, and help them recycle the materials from one of the largest athletic companies in the world.

You may not be saving the world by doing this, but you will be giving those old Air Jordans you loved in high school or those busted up Shox another chance at life.

Tell me what you think! Did you already know about this?

Written by: Ryan Farrell