From Landfill to Flooring: Miami's Sneaker Recycling Revolution

Giving Sneakers a Second Life: Miami-Based Company Recycles Thousands of Shoes. Miami, FL – In a city known for its fitness culture, a unique initiative is transforming discarded sneakers into a global sustainability success story. Sneaker Impact, a Miami-based company, has partnered with local run clubs like Brickell Run Club to establish donation boxes where runners can recycle their used shoes. "We collect them every week," says Frankie Ruiz, founder of Brickell Run Club. "We fill up one of these boxes once or twice a month." These collections are then transported to Sneaker Impact's warehouse, where they are sorted. CEO Mo Hatchem explains, "It's all about accountability. Sending the right product to the right market." Reusable shoes are shipped to developing countries for resale, while those beyond repair are crushed into sustainable materials for flooring, mats and tiles. Hatchem emphasizes the importance of reducing waste and creating economic opportunities in other countries. "You're not only reducing waste here at home, you're creating micro-business opportunities in developing countries," he explains. This initiative offers an effective solution to the environmental problem of shoe waste and promotes economic growth in areas where such products are in high demand.