Soles4Souls launched “Give Shoes. Give Love. Go Green!,” a campaign tied to spring cleaning season as Earth Day approaches.
The organization noted that Council for Textile Recycling estimates that the average US citizen throws out 70 lbs of textiles every year which adds up to 21 billion pounds of post consumer textile waste, annually. Meanwhile, 900 million people around the world live on less than $2 a day.
The nonprofit social enterprise provides entrepreneurs in places like Haiti and Honduras with repurposed shoes and clothing, otherwise destined for landfills, to help them start and sustain small businesses. Since 2013, in Haiti alone, Soles4Souls’ micro-enterprise program has generated $3.75 million worth of economic impact.
“The saying ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’ couldn’t apply more when it comes to creating powerful sustainable economic opportunities through repurposing shoes and clothing,” says Soles4Souls CEO Buddy Teaster.
Soles4Souls estimates that the sale of one pair of shoes can generate enough income to provide 5 meals for a family in Haiti. The sale of 20 pairs of shoes can help pay for a child’s annual school tuition in Honduras.
“Just remember three things while cleaning out your closet this spring: “Give Shoes. Give Love. Go Green,” says Teaster. “Whether you join us by hosting a local shoe drive or personally donate 5-10 pairs from your household, every pair matters. Not only is that one more pair out of our landfills but it’s one more person on the path out of poverty.”
More details can be found at soles4souls.org/gogreen.
