In 2014, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 258- million tons of municipal solid waste was generated in the United States. So it may seem overwhelming to think that your agency's recycling efforts could make any difference. But with approximately 300 park districts and agencies across the state of Illinois, park and recreation professionals are finding creative ways to make an impact.
From Tennis Balls To Tennis Shoes Last year, the Elmhurst Park District joined a nationwide effort by Rebounces to begin recycling tennis balls. Elmhurst has an active tennis community, and the courts receive a lot of play. In only a year and a half, nearly 1,800 tennis balls have been collected in Elmhurst alone. On a national level, Rebounces received more than nine-million recycled tennis balls since the organization began in 2008! It has partnered with several companies to turn the recycled balls into tennis court surfacing.
Elmhurst also found a way to "step" up its game by partnering with Soles for Kids, a non-profit organization that supplies new and gently used shoes to kids in need. Over the years, the organization has donated more than 30,000 pairs of shoes to kids in the United States and throughout the world. The park district's fitness center, Courts Plus, has a donation drive every summer, and on average donates 800 to 1,000 pairs of shoes to the cause. At the beginning of September, Soles for Kids arranged for 700 pairs to go to Houston after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the city. In addition to helping kids in need, the partnership also keeps shoes out of landfills. To learn more about the organization, visit solesforkids.com.