Drexel U. Students Donate Old Sneakers for Recycling

by KYW's John Ostapkovich

Earth Day won't "sneak up" on Drexel University this year, thanks to a program taking place Tuesday on the West Philadelphia campus that has students recycling old sneakers in a fun way.

"Donate your old shoes. Win a prize."

Students were urged to toss their old sneakers right through a basketball hoop and into donation boxes, where they're destined not to be on feet, but under them. 

Drexel executive VP Toby Oxholm:

"At the end of it, we're going to take the sneakers, grind them up, and make rubber (mats) for playgrounds -- great use for recycled rubber."

The idea came from Sarah Gostomski and the school's Student Athletic Advisory Committee:

"We hooked up with Nike, and they do Nike Reuse-A-Shoe. And they just have a wonderful program to donate sneakers and help out communities."

Assistant men's masketball coach Jeff Arnold brought some of his players over:

"The problem is, a number of them are better with sneakers than they are with basketballs."

(Photos: KYW's John Ostapkovich)