A new use for old shoes?

Here are some alternatives to letting
your old shoes take up landfill space:

Heart and Sole, a project run by Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, will accept small donations of gently used shoes that will be donated to those in need in the U.S. and Africa. Donations must be shipped or delivered to them. To make a donation email Anne Cook at cooka@msu.edu

Gently worn footwear can be sent to one of soles4souls warehouses. To find one near you click here.

Used crocs can be sent to Soles United where they will be recycled, turned into new shoes and sent to those in need. You may either mail them or find a participating retailer drop-off location.

Through Nike's Let Me Play campaign you can donate your used athletic shoes(any brand) to be turned into sport surfaces around the world. Click here to find a drop-off location or mail your used shoes to:
Nike Recycling Center
c/o Reuse-A-Shoe
26755 SW 95th Ave.
Wilsonville, OR 97070

The Earth-Watchers Action Plan

Earth-Watchers is not about feeling guilty or passing judgment. Earth-Watchers is about finding your comfort zone, then stretching it until the stretched area begins to feel comfortable. When it does, stretch again.

Each month earth-watchers members choose to incorporate a more eco-friendly habit into their daily lives. At the end of the month we discuss our successes and failures. We brainstorm how we can make our efforts toward sustainability more practical for everyone.

In addition, we take a look at what changes can be done in our community to help others to adapt some eco-friendly habits. For example, it is much easier to eat local when your community has a farmer's market or CSA. It is also much easier to stick to a local diet when your neighborhood restaurant serves local produce and you can reduce your waste when they allow you to to use re-usable carry-out containers.

Would you like to try the Earth-Watchers action plan?
Below you will find a list of eco-friendly actions. Choose one and when it becomes a habit and not a struggle, (only you can determine when that is), choose another. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

1. Purchase only shade grown, organic fair-trade coffee(August article and guide)
2. Reduce your exposure to toxins(May)
3.Say no to paper and plastic bags at the supermarket.(April)
4.Make one in 10 food items organic and avoid the dirty dozen.(March)
5.Choose sustainably harvested seafood.(March)
6. Stop using chemicals to clean your home.(March)
7. Stop sending conventional flowers. Send plants, or organically grown instead.(February)
8. Commit to choosing vintage and recycled jewelry(February)
9. Choose locally grown fruits and vegetables. To find a CSA visit www.localharvest.org

Downtown Manhattan's Local Business Recognition

Earth-Watchers are honoring businesses that are helping its customers shrink our environmental footprints. They may be serving local and organic food, or generating less waste by allowing us to re-use our containers. By publicizing local businesses who have adopted eco-friendly practices, we hope to communicate to others that becoming greener, can be not only practical but profitable. Our mission is to lead by example.

If you are a business owner or a frequent customer of one that you feel deserves recognition, please email us at earthwatchers@yahoo.com.


Congratulations to the following businesses have received an Earth-Watcher's
Earth-Saver Award:

Jack's Stir Brew 222 Front Street, South Street Seaport
Tribeca Treats, 95 Reade Street, Tribeca
Stonehouse California Olive Oil, 223 Front Street, near Peck Slip, South Street Seaport