Recycle Those Sneakers

To the Editor:

The Green Team at Middle Gate School is ankle-deep in sneakers! We are participating in the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe Program. This recycling campaign began April 1 and ends May 2. Sneakers must be dry and cannot have any metal parts, no cleats, or heelys. There are collection boxes in the school lobby. There are also collection boxes around town, just look for the colorful box covered with sneakers. The sneakers were colored by the students in our school.

Connecticut has been recycling sneakers for three years. They have collected over 20 million sneakers! Connecticut is the only state in the nation participating in this program! Nike grinds the sneakers and uses the material to build running tracks, playgrounds, and basketball courts. This is real recycling.

You can drop your sneakers at the following locations:

Dr Joshua Baum, Church Hill Road; Booth Library, children’s section and main desk; Union Savings Bank, 1A Commerce Road; People’s Savings Bank, Queen Street and Stop & Shop; Newtown Savings Bank, downstairs lobby.

If you have any questions, please contact Middle Gate School’s Green Team.

Sincerely,

Dawn Barrett & Ginny Chion

Advisors for the Green Team

Middle Gate School

Cold Spring Road, Newtown                                             April 7, 2008