Sneaker Impact News interviews Samantha Choy, marketing and communications manager at Students Run Philly Style (SRPS), a Philadelphia youth mentorship nonprofit pairing grades 6–12 students with volunteer running mentors to train for major races like the Broad Street Run and Philadelphia Marathon Weekend. Choy describes her role managing social media, partnerships, and the Mentoring Milestones newsletter, plus promoting SRPS’s charity runner program, including new Berlin and Dublin Marathon bibs. SRPS, founded in 2004, serves over 1,500 students annually across nearly 60 teams with 400+ mentors and a nine-person staff, using running to build confidence, goal-setting, coping strategies, and active-lifestyle skills. The episode highlights SRPS’s Sneaker Impact partnership via Philadelphia Runner, which since May 2024 collected 442 boxes and recycled 11,247 pairs, diverting about 14,740 pounds and saving an estimated 113.63 tons of CO2. The script also features SRPS’s MUP diversion program with the District Attorney’s Office, where youth complete race milestones (5K, 10-mile qualifier, and a half marathon) to have fees paid, charges dropped, and records expunged, with reported ~95% completion and sustained success.

Please like and share to help educate and raise awareness! 

Stay Connected/Learn More

https://studentsrunphilly.org

https://www.instagram.com/studentsrunphl

Support: https://studentsrunphilly.org/donate/

Run world major/international marathons with SRPS: https://studentsrunphilly.org/other-ways-to-help/

Sneaker Impact News visits the Town of Southwest Ranches council meeting with the Zero Waste Advisory Board, where chair Harold Gubnitsky, board members, and council leaders discuss making the town a sustainability leader while preserving its rural lifestyle. They highlight key initiatives and challenges including education to reduce recycling contamination, increased outreach via newsletters and social media, and a composting pilot with Filthy Organics using five-gallon buckets that has already diverted about 6,000 pounds of food waste and returns finished soil to residents. Officials describe efforts to oppose a nearby incinerator proposal, encourage equestrians to route horse manure to agricultural reuse, and explore diverting yard waste like palm fronds into mulch. They also discuss quarterly hazardous waste drop-offs, a proposed reuse/swap program, and a potential partnership with Sneaker Impact to collect and recycle footwear with diversion and carbon-savings reporting.

Please like and share to help educate and raise awareness!

Stay Connected/Learn More
southwestranches.org/
Instagram @townofswr

♻️ Celebrate International Day of Zero Waste in Southwest Ranches! 🌍
Join us Sunday, March 29, 2026 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Southwest Ranches Sanctuary Park Pavilion, 16020 Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches, as we come together to promote sustainability and simple actions that make a big impact in our community.
✨ Event activities include:
👟 Sneaker donation drive
♻️ "Thing swap"
👜 Plastic bag exchange

More About The Town of Southwest Ranches Zero Waste Board
This Board provides input to the Town Council concerning environmental safety concerns and issues as they pertain to the health, safety, and well-being of the environment and the Town’s residents. The purpose of the Board is to chart a path towards zero waste by reducing the amount of waste disposed in landfills, promote waste prevention and reuse of materials. Meets: The 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00PM at Town Hall, 13400 Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches, FL 33330.

In Attendance: November 4, 2025 Board Meeting
Harold Gubnitsky, Chairman of the Southwest Ranches’ Zero Waste Advisory Board; CEO of Clean Earth Innovations, LLC.  

Rose Allbritton, board member of Town of Southwest Ranches Zero Waste Advisory

Town of Southwest Ranches Vice Mayor Gary Joblonski

Town of Southwest Ranches council members
Bob Hartmann
Jim Allbritton
Debbie Green

Council Liaison: Council Member David S. Kuczenski, Esq.

Staff Liaison: Dan Stewart, Deputy Town Clerk

In this Sneaker Impact News episode, Bryan interviews Jake Gordon, Associate Director of Client Services at Geared for Green, a sustainability company that builds circular economy programs for organizations by collecting plastics and other recyclables and turning them into new products. Jake explains how they handle hard-to-recycle materials, partner with nationwide recyclers, and provide tracked, transparent reporting to prevent greenwashing. He highlights CIRQboard, a high-strength polymer sheet made from recycled films, bags, and wraps used for furniture, fixtures, flooring, and more, including takeback recycling at end of life. They discuss event recycling like major Florida boat shows that generate massive amounts of shrink wrap, plus sustainable apparel made from plastic bottles. Jake also shares Trace AI, a rewards app using QR-coded bins and image recognition to incentivize proper recycling, and Circular Express Box for shipping recyclables via FedEx.

Please like and share to help educate and spread awareness!

Stay Connected & Learn More

Website: Gearedforgreen.com

Instagram: @gearedforgreen and @apexsustainablefurnishings

Circular Express Box 

TraceAI App

Geared For Green Catalog

Geare For Green (YouTube Channel)

https://www.plasticsindustry.org/blog/from-private-equity-to-plastics-circularity-jake-gordon-at-geared-for-green/

Join us in this engaging episode of Sneaker Impact News as we welcome Andy Polk, Senior Vice President at the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA). Andy discusses his extensive role in shaping the future of the footwear industry, driving innovation, sustainability, and strategy. Learn about the FDRA's mission, the complexities of footwear tariffs, and the push towards circularity and sustainability in shoe design. Andy also shares insights from his career, the importance of thoughtful consumer practices, and the evolution of the footwear business in a changing global landscape. Don't miss out on this comprehensive look at the footwear industry and what lies ahead!

Stay Connected & Learn More

fdra.org

Follow the FDRA on Instagram @fdra1944

FootwearInnovation.com

ShoeSustainability.com

[email protected]

Join Sneaker Impact News host Bryan as he interviews special guest Haley Grace Poe who was crowned Miss Earth USA on July 6th, 2025, in Washington, D.C. following the premiere of the first-ever reality TV series based on a pageant in the United States, Pretty Down to Earth. She created her initiative, the Microplastic Awareness Project (MAP), to address the growing microplastic pollution crisis. Through MAP, Haley has hosted cleanups, advocated for single use plastic reduction, and initiated legislation at the state and federal level to address plastic pollution. Haley covers topics from overcoming shyness to become a leader, her passion for environmental advocacy to life as a beauty pageant contestant, and more. Please share and subscribe to the channel to help us spread more awareness and education. Thank you!

Stay Connected/Learn More

Instagram: @haleygracepoe @microplastic.awareness.project @missearthusa

Youtube.com/@haleygracepoe 

Youtube.com/@missearth 

[email protected]

Sneaker Impact News: Designing Sustainability with Particle Play Co-Founders

In Episode 44 of Sneaker Impact News, host Bryan welcomes Krissy Harbert and Amanda Rawlings, co-founders of Particle Play. The discussion covers their backgrounds, the creation, and mission of Particle Play—transforming post-consumer and industrial waste into innovative brand environments and products. They emphasize sustainability, local partnerships, and community building within design. Bryan and his guests discuss various upcycling projects and the challenges of introducing eco-friendly materials in mainstream markets. They also share their personal passions and sustainable practices. Join for an inspiring conversation on pushing the boundaries of sustainable environmental design.

Stay Connected & Learn More

IG: @particle.play

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/particle-play

Press: https://linktr.ee/particleplay

2023 Brand Launch

**Please like and share the video and subscribe to the channel to support sustainability**

Upcycling Sneakers with Noor Hachem: A Family Passion Project

In this episode, we chat with Noor Hachem, a 21-year-old university student with a strong passion for sneakers. Noor discusses her involvement in Sneaker Impact, a family business focusing on upcycling sneakers. She shares her personal connection to the project, her family's deep roots in the industry, and how they are partnering with universities to give fashion students an opportunity to upcycle sneakers. Noor also emphasizes the importance of sustainability and supporting micro-businesses. Follow Sneaker Impact on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on their journey and innovative projects.

To learn more and get involved, follow Sneaker Impact on Instagram and YouTube.

https://www.instagram.com/sneaker.impact

https://youtube.com/@sneakerimpact

Building Community Through Running: The Nameless Run Club Story

In this episode, host Bryan the Botanist sits down with Drew Tegui and Stefan Finke, the passionate co-founders of Nameless Run Club. They discuss their motivations, origin stories, and the unique approach that sets their organization apart. From introducing cold plunges to curated wellness experiences, Nameless Run Club is more than just running—it's about building a community. Discover how they started from humble beginnings, the partnerships they've formed, and their vision for the future. Special shout-outs go to their supporters and various partners. Don't miss hearing about their upcoming events and innovative plans on how they keep their runners engaged.

Stay Connected & Learn More

https://www.instagram.com/namelessrun/

https://namelessrun.com

Upcoming Events

Sneaker Impact News: Joao Alcolea and the Inspiring Story Behind Pushing4New

In this episode of Sneaker Impact News, we welcome Joao Alcolea, founder of Pushing4New, a community-driven fitness initiative focused on motivating people to live healthier lifestyles. Joao shares his inspiring journey from being self-conscious in high school due to gynecomastia to becoming a dedicated fitness enthusiast and community organizer. He discusses how his upbringing, particularly the influence of his generous and optimistic mother, shaped his desire to help others.

Joao reveals the story behind Pushing4New, including how his first event attracted over 100 participants and the importance of providing a supportive environment for people of all fitness levels. He emphasizes the value of giving back to the community, working with underserved populations, and promoting sustainability through partnerships like the one with Sneaker Impact.

This episode is filled with personal anecdotes, motivational advice, and insights into the evolving fitness scene in Miami. Joao's dedication to making fitness accessible and enjoyable for everyone is truly inspiring. Don't miss out on his upcoming event on June 14th at Veterans Park in Miami Lakes, where you can join the Pushing4New Run Club for a summer kickoff filled with activities and community engagement.

Stay Connected & Learn More

https://www.instagram.com/pushing4new/

https://pushing4new.company.site

Building Community Through Running: Joe Robinson & WeRun313's Inspiring Journey | Episode 2

Join us in this special interview featuring Joe Robinson, co-founder of WeRun313, one of Detroit's largest running clubs. In this follow-up episode, Joe reflects on the humble beginnings of WeRun313, how they grew from a small group to a community movement, and the importance of building a run club around inclusivity, charity, and performance. Alongside his 10-year-old son Jojo, Joe shares insights into the power of community engagement, the impact of running on mental health, and the benefits of giving back. Don't miss out on learning about their unique partnership with Sneaker Impact and their plans for future marathons and community events. Get inspired by their incredible journey and find out how you can get involved!

Stay Connected & Learn More
https://www.werun313.com
https://www.instagram.com/joerobinsonapx
https://www.instagram.com/werun313

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
00:11 Revisiting Joe Robinson's Previous Interview
00:47 Introducing Jojo and Family
01:22 The Origin of We Run 313
01:32 The Growth and Impact of We Run 313
05:26 Lululemon 10K Event Recap
15:46 Miami Running Community and Personal Connections
21:37 Winter Training Challenges in Detroit
28:26 Coaching and Future Aspirations
30:57 California International Marathon (CIM) Plans
36:22 Discussing the CIM Race Experience
37:03 Ambassador Program Insights
38:25 Run Club Membership Benefits
39:29 Community and Charity Initiatives
42:55 Building a Sustainable Run Club
49:54 The Importance of Inclusivity
58:20 Personal Leadership Journey
01:09:14 Sneaker Impact Partnership
01:16:38 Final Thoughts and Farewell