1.23.2003 ET

(CSRwire) Beaverton, OR (January 23, 2003)-The National Recycling Coalition (NRC) today formally announced a partnership with Nike that expands the Reuse-A-Shoe program to 25 communities across the United States. For the first time, community recycling centers will be able to add used athletic footwear to existing recycling programs. Since the launch of the Reuse-A-Shoe expansion to NRC members in November 2002, 19 recycling organizations, from Portland, Ore. to Atlanta, Ga., already have committed to collecting a minimum of 5,000 pairs of old athletic shoes by June 2003.

In addition, participating recycling organizations will also have the chance to apply for two $25,000 seed grants to be applied toward a new sports surface made with Nike Grind, the resulting material comprised of recycled athletic shoes from the Reuse-A-Shoe program.

"NRC members, the people who run recycling programs in thousands of communities across the nation, are always looking for innovative and cost-effective ways to add new items to their recycling programs. Through this exciting partnership with Nike, we can help them do just that," said Kate Krebs, Executive Director of the National Recycling Coalition.

"Closing the recycling loop is a shared responsibility, from collecting and processing used items like athletic shoes, to recycling them into new products like sports surfaces, to buying and using those recycled products in our every day lives. Manufacturers and retailers, consumers, and recycling professionals must all work together. The NRC-Nike partnership is an excellent example of how, by doing what each of us does best, we can create new environmental, economic and community benefits through recycling," said Krebs.

Under the partnership, the National Recycling Coalition will continue to educate its extensive national network of 20 state affiliates and more than 4,000 member recycling organizations and advocates around the country about the Reuse-A-Shoe program and the new opportunities provided by the partnership. NRC will also provide technical assistance to the participating organizations that are members of the Coalition. Nike will manage the logistics of picking up shoes from each of the 25 participating recycling centers, recycle the shoes in its Reuse-A-Shoe recycling center in Wilsonville, Ore. and provide Nike Grind material to its strategic licensee partners-- FieldTurf, Rebound Ace, Atlas Track and Connor --for use in sports surfaces.

After registering with NRC and Nike, recycling organizations are responsible for collecting and properly storing old athletic shoes in the way that best suits the organization's needs. When enough shoes have been collected to fill a 27-foot trailer (approximately 5,000 pairs), Nike will arrange for the shoes to be picked up by Roadway and shipped to the Reuse-A-Shoe recycling facility in Wilsonville, Oregon free of charge. The National Recycling Coalition and Nike will also provide each organization with communications tools to promote its collection effort, including customizable radio spots, media releases, posters, print ads and logos that feature the call-to-action "Get Your Old Shoes Back in the Game."

"Partnering with the National Recycling Coalition allows a wide range of recycling organizations access to a program that has been primarily focused at retail audiences," said Beth Farnum, manager of the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program.

The 19 organizations that have already committed to the program represent a diverse group of universities and municipalities across the country. Each of the participating organizations is adding the Reuse-A-Shoe program to current recycling efforts. The City of Portland will collect shoes at five recycling depots throughout the Portland metropolitan area.

"Recycling is an everyday, active step where citizens can participate in an environmentally beneficial activity," said Bruce Walker, Solid Waste and Recycling Program Manager for Portland, Oregon's Office of Sustainable Development. "We' are pleased for the opportunity to expand recycling opportunities for Portland residents through this new program."

Emory University in Atlanta plans to kick off its collection before Spring Break and continue through the end of the semester in May. Collection bins will be visibly placed throughout the campus. "Recycling is a standard for the Emory community," said John Scheve, Emory University's Recycling Supervisor. "Collecting used athletic shoes is just one more way for our students and staff to engage in the process."

After the pilot year is over, Nike and the National Recycling Coalition will re-evaluate the program and determine how to expand and enhance the partnership going forward. Each of the 25 first-year recycling organizations will have the opportunity to continue the Reuse-A-Shoe program in 2004 based on their success in 2003.

About the National Recycling Coalition Founded in 1978, the National Recycling Coalition, Inc. (NRC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization representing all the diverse interests committed to the common goal of maximizing recycling to achieve the benefits of resource conservation, solid waste reduction, environmental protection, energy conservation and social and economic development. Its 4,000 members include recycling and environmental organizations; large and small businesses; federal, state and local governments; and individuals. The NRC is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of recycling, and also source reduction, composting and reuse, by providing technical information, education, training, outreach and advocacy services to its members in order to conserve resources and benefit the environment. For additional information about the NRC, please visit www.nrc-recycle.org.

About Reuse-A-Shoe
Reuse-A-Shoe collects, slices, and grinds up used (any brand) and defective (Nike only) athletic shoes to make Nike Grind material, which is then used in sports surfaces. Since its inception in 1993, the Reuse-A-Shoe program has recycled more than 13 million pairs of shoes, and has helped donate over 100 athletic courts, tracks, fields and playground surfaces to communities around the world. Nike Grind material from the shoes collected in the pilot year of the Reuse-A-Shoe program with the National Recycling Coalition will be allocated to Nike's licensees- FieldTurf, Rebound Ace, Atlas Track and Connor.

Reuse-A-Shoe is an integral part of Nike's new NikeGO initiative launched in the fall of 2002 to increase physical activity among youth ages 9-15-and give them the means to do it. Programs include the NikeGO Fund, NikeGO After School program, NikeGO Girls program, Reuse-A-Shoe, Bowerman Track Program and numerous field/court and product donations. Through NikeGO, thousands of youth will be encouraged to discover the joy of movement and physical activity in an effort to help lead healthier lives. For more information please visit www.nikego.com www.nikego.com and www.nikebiz.com/reuseashoe.

Individuals that would like to participate in the Reuse-A-Shoe program outside of one of the 25 participating organizations for 2003 can send in their shoes directly to the Nike Recycling Center in Wilsonville, Oregon, or they can drop their shoes off at any of the 11 Niketowns in the U.S. or at participating retailers. They can also participate in a collection set up by one of the organizations participating in the national Reuse-A-Shoe expansion by mailing their shoes to the contact and address listed on the NRC website.

A complete list of the organizations and their addresses are listed at: www.nrc-recycle.org/pressroom/pressreleases.htm

For more information please contact: