IMPACT RNG & New Balance: Revitalizing Shoes, Reimagining Sustainability

IMPACT RNG LLC, based right here in Seattle, WA, is quietly making waves – not in footwear, but behind the footwear. We're a company focused on renewable natural gas (RNG), and we're teaming up with New Balance to give worn-out shoes a second life – and a whole lot more. So, what's the deal with old shoes? Think about it. Millions of sneakers hit the landfill every year. Leather, rubber, foam… it all takes ages to break down, and even then, it’s not exactly good for the planet. New Balance gets this. They’ve been looking for ways to tackle this problem for a while, and that’s where IMPACT RNG comes in. IMPACT RNG: Turning Waste into Energy We don’t deal with the shoes directly. Instead, we focus on what’s inside them – specifically, the foam midsoles. These are typically made from EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) – a plastic-based material. It’s comfy, sure, but it’s not biodegradable. IMPACT RNG takes this EVA waste – from old New Balance shoes and potentially other sources down the line – and through a process called advanced recycling, we convert it into RNG. Okay, what is RNG? RNG is basically biogas that’s been upgraded to pipeline quality natural gas. Think of it like this: normally, when organic waste breaks down in a landfill, it creates methane – a powerful greenhouse gas. We capture that methane and clean it up, turning it into a renewable, usable fuel source. What makes it special is it’s carbon negative, meaning less carbon goes into the atmosphere, and we’re reducing landfill waste. And unlike traditional natural gas, it’s a renewable resource. How do New Balance shoes fit in? New Balance is kicking things off with their “Sole Cycle” program, focusing on breaking down end-of-life shoes to recover materials. This program focuses on footwear returned through New Balance ReWorked, New Balance’s product recycling program. Instead of simply tossing these worn-out shoes, they’re being sent to specialized facilities where the materials get broken down. Traditionally, recovering EVA foam has been tough and costly. It's a tricky material to process. But, through innovative partnerships like this one with IMPACT RNG, New Balance can now turn those troublesome midsoles into a valuable resource. So, you’re turning sneakers into fuel? Seriously? Yep! It sounds a little crazy, but it’s absolutely true. The EVA foam from your old running shoes can be converted into RNG, which can then be used to power homes, businesses, and even transportation. Think about it: you run a marathon in your New Balance shoes, they wear out, you send them back to New Balance, and the materials are recycled. That EVA foam, instead of sitting in a landfill for hundreds of years, helps power your neighbor’s house! It's a full-circle solution. What’s the impact? (Pun intended!) The benefits are huge: Reduced Landfill Waste: We’re keeping tons of plastic out of landfills. Lower Carbon Emissions: RNG is a renewable fuel that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional natural gas. Circular Economy: We're creating a closed-loop system where waste becomes a resource. Renewable Energy: We’re boosting the supply of clean, sustainable energy. More Than Just Fuel: A Vision for the Future This isn’t just about turning old shoes into fuel. It's about rethinking how we approach waste. IMPACT RNG and New Balance are pioneering a new model for the footwear industry. We envision a future where more and more brands embrace circularity, taking responsibility for the end-of-life of their products. We believe that waste is a valuable resource, and with the right technology and partnerships, we can unlock its potential. What’s next? This is just the beginning. IMPACT RNG and New Balance are continuing to refine the process and scale up production. They’re also exploring ways to expand the program to include other types of footwear and materials. We're talking to other brands to see how we can apply this technology to their waste streams. The goal is to create a broader network of circularity, transforming waste into a valuable resource for everyone. Looking to Learn More? IMPACT RNG LLC: 712E W BERTONA ST, SEATTLE, WA, 98119-1522, UNITED STATES. You can reach us at 702-520-1416. New Balance: Check out their website to learn more about their sustainability initiatives and the Sole Cycle program: [https://www.newbalance.com/](https://www.newbalance.com/) (look for their sustainability section) We're excited to be part of this movement and help create a more sustainable future, one shoe – and one molecule of RNG – at a time. This is about leaving a lighter footprint on the planet – and giving those old sneakers a new life.