Community Corner

Used Flip-Flops Get New Life With Old Navy Recycling Program

The rubber flip-flops will be turned into material used for playgrounds.

As the mother of a 3-year-old daughter who often takes spills, Heidi Weiss appreciates the soft rubber mats that break her little one’s falls on the playground.

“I think they’re awesome, they really are,” she said. “As a mom, I know I don’t have to worry.”

That is why Weiss, store manager of the Old Navy store in Cranberry Township, is pleased her company is teaming with international recycling company TerraCycle to collect used flip-flops in honor of Earth Month.

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The rubber flip-flops, which TerraCycle spokeswoman Megan Yarnall said are difficult to recycle, will be repurposed into four public playgrounds across the country through the Flip-Flop Replay program.

Although Weiss said the store has participated in other company-wide initiatives such as collecting T-shirts for the troops overseas and donating coats through the One Warm Coat program, this is the first time the store has participated in a large-scale effort to collect and recycle flip-flops.

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Through May 21, shoppers at any Old Navy can deposit their used flip-flops in colorful collection bins at the store.

Weiss said the bin can hold as many as 250 flips-flops. Once it’s full, she’ll ship the shoes off to TerraCycle and return the emptied box to the front of the store.

Judging by the number of flip-flops the the store’s employees own, there should be no problem filling the bin. Weiss estimated she owns 15 pairs of flip-flops, and the rubber thongs that the store stocks are popular items.

“They’re probably our biggest seller,” she said.

As an added incentive to help shoppers get rid of their old flip-flops, the store will offer flip-flops for $2 through Sunday.

“I think we’re going to have a fabulous turnout,” Weiss said.

Office Depot also has partnered with TerraCycle for an Earth Day initiative. Through Saturday, shoppers can bring in 10 used pens, markers or mechanical pencils to the Office Depot in Cranberry and receive a coupon toward new Sharpie, Expo, and PaperMate products. The used writing instruments will be sent to TerraCycle to be recycled into office products such as trashcans and desk organizers.


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