Sustainable Steps: Recycle Your Shoes at Patagonia’s Buckhead Store

Community Spotlight – Patagonia Buckhead, 34 East Andrews Drive, Atlanta GA 30305

In our ongoing efforts to highlight sustainability champions in our community, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Patagonia’s Buckhead store for its outstanding shoe recycling program in partnership with Eco Sneakers. This initiative not only showcases Patagonia’s commitment to environmental stewardship but also provides an easy and impactful way for community members to contribute to sustainability efforts.

Drop-off Your Shoes in the Green Bin

Located conveniently in the middle of Patagonia’s store, the tall green Eco Sneakers bin is hard to miss. Whether you have a pair of old running shoes, worn-out sandals, or any other type of footwear in any condition, you can simply drop them into this bin. If you prefer a more personal touch, feel free to hand them over at the counter. It’s that easy!

The Eco Sneakers Journey: From Donation to Repurposing

Eco Sneakers, a local nonprofit, takes it from there. They meticulously sort through the collected shoes to determine their next best use. Lightly worn pairs are donated to those in need, including children in poverty both locally and internationally. Shoes that have seen better days are given a new life in creative ways—ground up for playground and track padding, transformed into new sandals, used as stuffing for pet beds and stadium seating, or even fully recycled into stuffed animals. Eco Sneakers even has a children’s book and matching Plushie to detail a shoe’s journey from trash to treasure.

A Partnership Rooted in Activism

The relationship between Patagonia and Eco Sneakers began in 2019 when Patagonia’s team members met Lynn and Bobby, the founders of Eco Sneakers, while utilizing their paid volunteer time (known as “Activism Hours”) to attend a sustainability leadership conference led by Al Gore. Inspired by the experience, they teamed up with Eco Sneakers, and the collaboration has been a staple ever since. Patagonia’s store alone diverts around 200 pairs of shoes from the landfill each year through their collection bin.

 Join the Movement

We encourage everyone to support this fantastic initiative. Next time you visit Patagonia, bring along those old shoes and drop them in the Eco Sneakers bin. Together, we can make a significant impact on our community and the environment.

Let’s continue to support local businesses and nonprofits that are making a difference. Patagonia and Eco Sneakers are prime examples of how local partnerships can drive meaningful change. Keep an eye out for more sustainability champions in our upcoming newsletters!

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By participating in this recycling effort, you’re not just cleaning out your closet—you’re contributing to a sustainable future. Thank you, Patagonia, for being an exemplary community partner and for making it easy for us all to play a part in creating a greener world.

Visit the Patagonia Buckhead website to learn more about their events and programming such as their Summer Kids Series, CSA pick-ups, and educational series.