“Nadige”- A Unique Campaign to Collect & Recycle Used Footwear For The Needy Launched in Udupi

A campaign to collect used footwear in good condition for the needy after their refurbishing was launched in Udupi on November 30, Thursday. The campaign is an initiative by activist Avinash Kamath and Abigail S Anchan in association with NSS unit of MGM College.

People may donate used formal and sports shoes, sandals, slippers, rubber shoes etc, at the MGM College premises. However, footwear with the soles worn out, high-heeled footwear and children’s footwear will not be accepted. The initiative would help hundreds of tribal people, including students, walking barefoot in forests and hilly regions. Recycling the used footwear contributes immensely to environment conservation too.

Campaign convener Avinash Kamath said marathon runners Ramesh Dhami and Shriyans Bhandary established the Greensole Foundation in 2017. The foundation recycles used footwear in good condition and offer new and comfortable footwear that have eight months validity to the needy people for free across the country. The foundation has provided over 6 lakh pairs of footwear through similar campaigns in the last six years.