In 2013, elite sportsmen Shriyans Bhandari and Ramesh Dhami established Green Sole to turn discarded shoes into trendy ones for needy children. The organization recycles old shoes and donates them to village children using a strict process to reduce carbon emissions. Over 65 companies have worked with Green Sole to upcycle 5,80,000 shoes.
In December 2013, Shriyans Bhandari and Ramesh Dhami founded Green Sole to recycle their old shoes and give needy youngsters comfortable shoes.
As elite athletes, Shriyans Bhandari and Ramesh Dhami went through many pairs of shoes each year. After Ramesh transformed one of his old shoes into slippers, the couple realized they could do it with all theirs!
This inspired them to start GreenSole in December 2013 to repurpose outdated shoes into trendy ones.
“Initially, we thought we would reuse those shoes and make personal footwear. But the notion became a social business enterprise, and we decided to provide impoverished children repaired shoes, explains Shriyans.
Wasted shoes are washed, disassembled to separate the soles and uppers, then cut to size. Instead of melting shoes like many shoe factories, Shriyans refurbishes them to reduce carbon emissions.
Environmental design earned the pair praise from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Ahmedabad.
Their collection efforts across India gather unwanted shoes and upcycle them before donating them to village children. “We also promote shoewear at shoe donation sites. We prevent kids from going to school barefoot. He says it’s nice to see children running and playing in those slippers.
Since athletes decided to do good, they’ve repurposed 5,80,000 shoes and partnered with 65 corporations.
Conclusion
Shriyans Bhandari and Ramesh Dhami launched Green Sole in December 2013 to upcycle old shoes and give poor children comfortable shoes. Initial goals of reusing shoes for personal use grew into a social company giving reconditioned shoes to impoverished youngsters. Cleaning, dismantling, and sizing shoes reduces carbon emissions. The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Ahmedabad applauded the duo’s sustainable design. Green Sole gathers old shoes around India and upcycles them before giving them to tribal children. They also promote shoewear and prevent kids from going to school barefoot. Green Sole has recycled 5,80,000 shoes and worked with 65 corporations. Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Ahmedabad applauded the initiative’s sustainable design.
