Soles United: Recycle Your Used Crocs

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Is It Time For New Crocs?

My baby blue Crocs has been through it all in the two years since I bought them. Traipsing through the sand on a Mexican beach, clomping around my local mall, squelching through the mud in Sudan. As a result, they're starting to look a bit battered and tired. So I'm excited to learn about the new program the Crocs company has launched to recycle my beloved shoes into shoes that will be given to someone (for free!) in an impoverished country. (I donated my blue Crocs in June. Simple as could be.)

As of the start of 2008, the Soles United program has been going for about 18 months (they've already given away more than 1 million shoes!). But it was launched into the public eye at the end of January 2008 when the Celebrity Apprentice teams were assigned the task of raising awareness about Soles United.

NOTE: I have a message in to Crocs to check on the status of this project. Still waiting to hear from them.

Soles United Video 

Soles United-Wear them...Share them...Crocs

It's the first-of-its-kind recycled footwear donation program. give back your worn-out crocs shoes to be recycled into new shoes and they will be donated to people in need around the world. http://www.solesunited.com/

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Goal was to donate more than two million pairs of recycled CrocsTM shoes worldwide to those in need in 2008

May 2008 Charity Challenge 

This lens was the winner of the May 2008 Charity Challenge!! Thank you for helping make that happen. The May challenge focused on getting lenses to donate their proceeds to the Childrens Defense Fund and Save the Children. This lens has always given its money to Save the Children, so we're proud to have been participating this month.

(But, ya know, in order to actually make some money to give to Save the Children, people have to visit, click on links and (maybe) buy things. I didn't have much on here to sale when the challenge started but I've added some things from Amazon that might interest you.)

Four easy steps

Step 1: Wear 


Photo courtesy of megan @ flickr

You've already got this step down, I'm sure. Wear your Crocs, enjoy your Crocs, decide you need more Crocs. But at some point, the tread on the bottom starts to smooth out and the tops begin to look a little scruffy. It's time for a new pair.

Step 2: Share 


Photo courtesy of Jespahjoy

Rather than toss your Crocs so they fill the landfill, drop them off a Crocs retailer, authorized donation center or ship them back to Soles United. (Hey another great benefit of the light weight of a pair of Crocs - it won't cost much to ship!)

Step 3: Recycle 


Photo courtesy of y_katsuuu

Once Soles United receives your shoes, they'll be sorted, cleaned, ground up and turned into new Soles United footwear. These shoes are made out of 20 percent recycled proprietary Croslite material and have the Crocs recycle logo imprinted on the top.

Step 4: Donate 


Photo courtesy of grilled cheese

Once the Soles United shoes are made, they're boxed up and shipped out (with help from Brother's Brother Foundation and Feed the Children) to organizations that can make sure the shoes reach those who need them.

Ready for Your Next Pair? 

Great online places to get replacement Crocs after you donate yours for recycling. (And have you seen some of the cute new styles they have? Check these out. I found them at SoftMoc.)

Crocs Caught on Camera 

Mohawk by bobster855

Mohawk

1st time in the leggero by andreas_fischler

1st time in the legg...

crocs by PRINCES meiya

crocs

every steps you take, I will be watching you....... by Lohb

every steps you take...

My new Crocs Axis by heroturtle

My new Crocs Axis

10 reasons you got to hate 'em (02-173) by woordenaar

10 reasons you got t...

Workin those muscles, workin those crocs by oh_colleen

Workin those muscles...

Crocs Family by emrank

Crocs Family

Kicked Off by wickenden

Kicked Off

That's a Croc by David Reber

That's a Croc

Hope my crocs don't fall off! by hfordsa

Hope my crocs don't...

Croc's Sunset by jonmallard

Croc's Sunset

Six feet under by adobo express

Six feet under

Renata's New Crocs! by Cyren

Renata's New Crocs!

Your Turn to Talk 

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Crocs Caught on Film 

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Mary Jane Crocs Shoes

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Crocs, Flip-Flops, Open-Toe Sh...

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Croc Shoes Danger On Escalator...

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Beemerz Flashing Charms for Cr...

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Cuttin' Crocs

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Crocs Repair Rivets from bid-a...

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My Crocs came in handy during a trip to Sudan in 2007!!

Soles United: What's the Buzz? 

Donate Used Crocs!
Soles United and Crocs have teamed up to launch Solesunited.com where you can donate worn-out Crocs shoes at participating retailers (for a directory of retailers go to http:www.solesunited.com). Soles United then sorts, cleans, grinds, ...
Waiting for Baby Panda Bear: Soles United
Soles United. Have I ever mentioned we're a Cr0cs family? I mean, I know kids everywhere are wearing them, but how many adults do you know that wear them? How about women? I was never going to set foot in the Cr0cs that both Scot and my ...
Soles United
What a wonderful idea! It really makes me realize that there are some wonderful people in this harsh cold world! Visit Soles United.

Where to Take Your Worn Crocs 


Photo by lizjones112


Check with your local Crocs retailer to see if they're an official drop-off point.

Or mail your worn-out Crocs shoes to:
Crocs Recycling - West
3375 Enterprise Avenue
Bloomington, CA 92316

Crocs Recycling - East
1500 Commodity Blvd.
Lockbourne, OH 43137

Yellow Crocs Travels 

Planned Donations for 2008 

In 2008, Soles United plans to make donations with the help of its shipping partners and other 501c3 organizations to these countries.

Armenia, Cambodia, Chad, Darfur, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Philippines, Romania, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.


(Map courtesy of graphicmaps.com)

Delivering the Shoes 

Jen Boss and Jake Gibb: Soles United

With the support of Crocs, Jake Gibb and Jen Boss took a trip to the Dominican Republic a few months ago to donate shoes to needy children.

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Big Head Todd & the Monsters 

Soles United was the charity of choice in 2008 for Big Head Todd & the Monsters. Have some fun at a concert and help put shoes on someone in need. The Soles United program donated a pair of shoes for every ticket purchased to any of their 2008 concerts. Sweet deal! You could also bring your worn-out Crocs to select shows for recycling.

Tour Dates
Search for Tickets at StubHub

More Official Information 

  • Soles United
    Official website for the program with everything you need to know.
  • Take the Pledge
    Pledge to donate your shoes when they've reached the end of their life and sign up for the Soles United mailing list
  • Program Partners
    Find out which organizations are working with Sole United to get shoes distributed where they're needed.
  • Get Involved!
    Want to become a collection partner? Here's how.

All About Crocs 

Crocs, Inc. is a shoe manufacturer founded by entrepreneur George B. Boedecker, Jr. to produce and distribute a plastic clog originally acquired from a Canadian company. Originally developed as a spa shoe, the first model, the Crocs Beach, was unveiled in 2002 at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, selling out the 200 pairs produced at that time.Fashion Attack, Elizabeth Wellington, Philadelphia Inquirer, 2007-07-05. Retrieved 2007-08-25.

The product line has remained popular, and has the characteristics of a sustained fad, with both ardent support and disapproval. crocfans.com CrocFans website.

Crocs has been the title sponsor of the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour since 2006.

Excited About the Soles United Program? 

Share your thoughts on the program or this lens here!

Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...

I think this is an excellent program and I hope it works out as planned. The problem with the mass popularity of this product is that millions of pairs of Cros are going to wind up in the landfill and I assume, like plastic garbage bags, they're not going to break down...

ReplyPosted June 08, 2009

SweetBianca wrote...

A very insightful lens!
looks like someone's just received another set of 5 star!
you go superstar!

ReplyPosted May 07, 2009

skilly wrote...

Glad to hear that crocs are being recycled into less privileged countries. Great lens - 5stars.

ReplyPosted May 02, 2009

Lensmaster

catherine wrote

Anyone know where I can recycle Crocs in Canada? I really don't want to spend $20 mailing them to the US. Thanks

Reply Posted April 03, 2009

Comfortdoc wrote...

Thank you for submitting this to the Spirit of the Season Challenge.

ReplyPosted December 10, 2008

 
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Got a Weird Charity Lens? 

I like the odd and am looking for more charities to feature in my off-beat charities lens. Anything solving an unusual problem or with an unusual solution to an ordinary problem qualifies. If you have a lens for me, let me know!

Help Support Save the Children!!! 

Anything you buy from Amazon by clicking a link on this lens will contribute money to Save the Children. Here are some Crocs-related options to get you started. Thanks for dropping by!!

crocs Women's Malindi Flat Slingback,Black,8 M

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Amazon Price: $27.90 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $29.95

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Crocs Off Road Shoes for Men and Women - Available in Many Colors!, Size: 5 Mens / 7 Womens, Color: Army Green/Orange

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crocs Off-Road Clog,Black/Black,Men's 9 M/Women's 11 M

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Crocs Men's Islander (Khaki/Chocolate 10.0 M)

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CROCS BEACH MODEL SHOES SANDALS - S - PURPLE

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Jibbets to Dress Up Your Crocs 

Jibbitz Happy Face Button

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Jibbitz Winnie the Pooh Button

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Jibbitz Hippo Button

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Jibbitz Big Flower Button

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Jibbitz Ladybug Button

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Lens of the Day!! 



This lens was selected for Lens of the Day June 10, 2008. My first!! I'm so proud!

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