Fair-Trade store Ten Thousand Villages is partnering with the UNC Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling for the Nike shoe recycling program.

Amy Preble, recycling and outreach coordinator for the UNC Recycling Office, says UNC became one of 10 campuses across the nation chosen by Nike for the pilot program last year.

These bins were placed in residence halls as well as three gyms throughout campus.

At the end of the school year, the program had already generated one thousand pairs of shoes for recycling.  Preble was able to convince Nike to send 25 more bins based on that success.

Ten Thousand Villages, located at the Shops at Eastgate, expressed interest in helping with the cause.  Now, they also have a shoe recycling bin, so town residents have an easier access to the recycling program.

Preble says the shoes will be recycled and reused instead of filling up the landfill.

If you have any questions about the program, call the UNC Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling at 962-1442.