Goal For The Green

Para-education and green living information

Saving Shoes From Landfills

Nov-22-2008 By User ImageBarbara Rae

About a year ago, Kent Basson, started OddShoeFinder.com, which allows users to buy and sell their mismatched pairs of shoes. It is aimed at people such as polio survivors who must buy a different pair of shoes for each foot due to severely mismatched feet. A few months after starting the site, he was
contacted by several people about accepting large batches of new name brand single shoes.

He started the site after his sister had an injury (due largely to neuropathy from diabetes) that resulted in her having to wear two different sized shoes. He saw that her options were few unless she wanted to spend a lot of money,or go to Nordstrom.  She still lives in their hometown in Alabama, which is far from a Nordstrom.

Kent ended up with over 11,000 shoes that were otherwise heading for a landfill. “We sorted and posted all the shoes we could as mismatched pairs. Rather than buying two pairs of shoes at retail prices, users of the site can buy a pair of shoes that was headed to the landfill for $10-20/pair.”

“We also found a use for boots for which we did not find matches. Construction workers wear boots in two different brands and styles when they pour concrete so that they don’t ruin their good boots,” Kent said.

A lot of perfectly able people also need mismatched shoes.  It is far more common than ever imagined, although most people just buy the larger pair and deal with it unless the difference is extreme. People born with clubfoot are also likely to need mismatched shoes.

He has also rescued quite a few matching pairs from among the thousands, so people who don’t have the problem of mismatched feet also use the site. He has 3000 skates (inline and ice) and cleats arriving next week, so the hope is that lots of people without serious disabilities will use the site as well.

This is not only a great way to save shoes from ending up in a landfill, but also makes filling this need alot easier, and far more affordable.  What a great way to go green and save some green too!

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Posted in: Disabilities, Health, social networking
  1. » Blog Archive » Saving Shoes From Landfills - Goal For The Green | carpentershoes.com Said,

    [...] Go to read the rest [...]

  2. no imageSadia (Check me out!) Said,

    A great way to go green as you said and also saved a lot of trouble for many .

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  3. » Blog Archive » Saving Shoes From Landfills - Goal For The Green | floralshoes.com Said,

    [...] Read the rest [...]

  4. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Sadia,

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I think Odd Shoe Finder has found a very good niche!

    Rate this:
    		3.2
  5. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    To carpentershoes.com and floralshoes.com….Thanks

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  6. no imageMaureen (Check me out!) Said,

    I would have never thought of something like this- I have to believe there are probably other things along these lines that would save putting into landfills that have other needs. It seems we are all a bit wasteful-

    Maureens last blog post..4 Questions That Must Be Answered for Effective Video Marketing

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  7. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Maureen,

    Yes, I agree that we are a bit wasteful. I think this is just one of many wonderful ideas that takes the hassle and frustration out of the task. It’s also a great way to save some greenbacks while going green!

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  8. no imageBK (Check me out!) Said,

    What a meaningful project this is. It not only helps people but also gives these shoes second lives.

    BKs last blog post..Spread the Christmas Spirit and Positive Wishes

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  9. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi BK,
    Thanks for stopping by. I couldn’t agree with you more. Kent saw the need his sister had, and the idea took off from there. It’s wonderful!

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  10. no imageJudy (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Barb. This would have come in handy for my Dad. He was an amputee and the prosthesis didn’t fit comfortably so he wouldn’t wear it. One Christmas I wrapped up one slipper for him. My hubby thought that was terrible, but I knew my Dad…he thought it was hilarious. Wore that slipper everywhere he went! And…TOLD everybody about it too!

    Judys last blog post..Mishmash

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  11. no imageJess (Check me out!) Said,

    Just wanted to let you know I am passing the Lemonade Award on to your site. Please click here> for more info. Great job!

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  12. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Judy,

    Like I said above to BK…Kent saw the need his sister had, and was able to help fill the need. I just think the whole project is wonderful!

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  13. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Hi Jess,

    Thanks for stopping by ..I’ll look for that award!

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  14. no imageOnline Games To Play (Check me out!) Said,

    Nice Shoes!

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  15. no imageBarbara (Check me out!) Said,

    Online Games To Play,

    Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment!

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