I am a fan of crocs^tm shoes (I don't care how stupid they look - they are comfortable).  While purchasing my last pair in a store in Indiana, I noticed a recycle symbol on the back of a pair of tan colored crocs^tm shoes.  When I inquired about them, the sales associate said these crocs^tm shoes were a part of a new program called SolesUnited^sm.  How the program works:

1. wear

   wear your crocs^tm shoes until the tread becomes worn and they reach their end-of-life.

2. share

   donate your worn-out crocs^tm shoes at participating retail locations. you can recognize participating retailer partners through posted "authorized collection center" window stickers at the retailer’s entrance. Those without a nearby retailer can participate by mailing their worn-out crocs^tm footwear directly to the SolesUnited^sm program.

3. recycle

   once worn-out crocs^tm footwear are received, they are sorted, ground up and made into new SolesUnited^tm recycled shoes. These recycled shoes are loaded into containers and are picked up at the warehouse by our shipping partners, who then send them to approved non-profit organizations around the world.

4. donate

   SolesUnited^sm shipping partners work with organizations that can assure shoes will be delivered to those who need them.  To date we have donated over 1 million pairs of shoes. in 2008, our goal is to donate 2 million pairs of recycled shoes to those in need.

 There is also a place on the sight to pledge that you will send you old crocs^tm in to be recycled.  I thought this was a wonderful idea. Also, when you purchase a pair of the recycled shoes (marked with the SolesUnited^sm logo) they donate a pair to a person in need. 

Visit www.solesunited.com to learn more about SolesUnitedSM and to access information about partnerships, celebrity involvement, past and present donations and events, participating in the online pledge, and additional information about how to recycle Crocs™ footwear.