One Step Shoe Recycling

One Step Shoe Recycling was founded in July 2014 by Bethany Downer of St. John's, Newfoundland who sought to combine her passions for sustainability and community engagement. By addressing a common habit of over-purchasing shoes, One Step served as an incorporated non-profit organisation operating across Canada to collect these unwanted footwear. These shoes were delivered to those in need around the world, free of charge. Over fifty partnerships were formed at provincial, national, and international levels and saw the creation of a motivated director's board and achievements of over three hundred volunteers from across Canada. Shoes were collected, counted, sorted and cleaned for delivery to 18 countries worldwide to various interest groups (including women's shelters, youth groups, homeless shelters, hospitals, native reserves and villages, African villages, and more). 15,000 pounds of waste were retained from Canadian landfills as a result of this program, and was complimented by an education program that was conducted by Bethany across Newfoundland to educate about youth leadership and sustainability. This non profit organisation was completed directed and run by Canadian students under the age of 25. The following awards were given to Bethany as a result of this organisation's success: -Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists in Canada: 2015 and 2016 -Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability: 2016 -Top 30 Canadian Leaders Under 30 for a Better Future: 2017 -Newfoundland and Labrador Environmentalism Award, Individual Category: 2015 -Memorial University Student Leader of the Year, David Kirkland Award: 2016