Step 1. Collect Shoes
We send you a FREE collection box. Then you collect running shoes at your event, organization, or store.
Step 2: Ship Box
When full, we provide FREE return shipping. Each box holds 40-50 pairs. A prepaid label is already on the box!
Step 3: Benefit the Environment
Donating shoes keeps them out of our landfills. Proceeds from the shoes fund MORE’s ongoing reforestation projects. Hundreds of thousands of trees are planted and protected each year, which creates massive carbon offset each year.
Who We Are
We are a US non-profit corporation. MORE stands for Modular Organic Regenerative Environments. Our reforested environments have a very positive economic and climatic impact. MORE Foundation is 100% funded with recycled athletic shoes. Proceeds regenerate forests and jump start small farming co-ops in needy regions. We have a value added, multi-faceted approach to shoe recycling. Instead of 100 years decomposing in landfills, the donated shoes are sold to participating vendors in developing countries. This creates retail jobs while stimulating free enterprise. MORE provides basic supplies, tools, seeds, and agroforestry training to poor farming families and rural villages. Distribution of free tree seeds, tools, grow bags, compost, and training is our main activity.
What We Do
As a direct action, climate responsible organization, we are the largest non-profit recycler of used running shoes in the United States. We are in our 22nd year and currently partner with running stores, YMCA’s, gyms, fitness clubs/studios, churches, schools, corporations, private businesses, and running clubs across the country. The majority of our partners collect year-round, but we also receive support from hundreds of seasonal drives and running events like the the Marine Corps Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon, Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, and the IAAF Indoor World Championships to name a few.
How It Works In Africa
MORE sells the used athletic shoes to vendors in developing countries. Proceeds fund our ongoing reforestation projects in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Each year, we germinate and distribute hundreds of thousands fruit-bearing (mango, papaya, avocado) and income producing (mahogany) trees to protected school nurseries and remote villages. Each tree has an estimated ten-year value of $300, and one tree can produce hundreds of thousands of seeds every year. Over the next few years, these trees will generate enough seeds to reforest all of Ghana in a few decades.
How It Works In The USA
Our partners display our FREE collection boxes in their establishments, allowing customers, clients, members, and employees to recycle their old fitness shoes. Each box holds 40-50 pairs of shoes, and we have been able to plant at least 4 trees with every pair. Once a box is full, FedEx will pick it up and deliver it back to MORE at NO COST TO YOU.
The Goal
Over the past twenty years, MORE has distributed millions of free tree seeds to thousands of poor rural farmers, establishing a Tree Seed Bank to assist in the reforestation of Ghana. Students have been planting trees as part of their curriculum while learning the benefits of agroforestry. Over a million trees have already been planted, which will generate tens of millions of tree seeds each year. We continue to establish new tree nurseries every month, and seeds and saplings will continue to be distributed to thousands of rural villages. Small farmers can finally sustain a viable income with agroforestry. We call it Tree Economics. Healing the planet takes Soles. Please help!
What kind of shoes can I donate?
We ask for used athletic shoes adult sizes 6 to 11 only. Please do not send dress shoes or boots of any kind.
Getting started is easy. Contact MORE by phone: 302-470-1513 or through our website www.morefoundationgroup.org. To get setup, we need your contact information and address. Boxes usually take between 2 – 5 business days to arrive, depending on location.
How many shoes fit in a donation box?
Boxes hold between 40 – 50 pair of shoes. When considering collecting for MORE, please set a goal of minimum of 80 – 100 pair of shoes. Please inspect box to be sure it is full before returning it. There is no time limit on a collection. Collect until the box is full!
What does MORE do with the donated shoes?
The gently used athletic shoes are sold to vendor partners in developing countries, who, in turn, create viable micro-economies and job creation in these developing nations. The donated shoes provide necessary funding for seed purchases, equipment and supplies procurement, nursery establishment, and agroforestry education/training.
Where can I donate shoes?
Our collection boxes can be found at a variety of locations throughout the United States, primarily in gyms, YMCA’s, and running stores.
How do I return my full collection box?
Find the 12-digit tracking number on the return label taped to the side of the collection box. You need the tracking number to schedule a pickup. There are three options; Online is recommended
Schedule pickup online: FedEx Online Schedule a Pick Up
Schedule pickup by phone. 1-800-GoFedEX.
Or call us – we can schedule a pick-up for you: 302-470-1513.
What types of reforestation projects does MORE fund?
MORE is currently distributing one million small trees to schools in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Students are given the opportunity to plant and nurture fruit-bearing and hardwood trees while they learn about Regenerative Agroforestry. As part of our ongoing commitment, MORE continues to work with these partnering schools to establish community tree nurseries that have the potential to substantially offset the cost of tuition for students while generating sustainable revenue for the schools.