IMPACT RNG & New Balance: Giving Old Shoes New Life, Powering a Sustainable Future

IMPACT RNG LLC, based right here in Seattle (712E W Bertona St, Seattle, WA, 98119-1522, and reachable at 702-520-1416), isn’t your typical energy company. We're all about taking waste and turning it into something useful. And we've just teamed up with New Balance to do something pretty cool – turn old, unwearable New Balance shoes into renewable natural gas (RNG)! Sounds weird? Stick with us, it's actually really smart. You know how you have those running shoes? The ones you loved, pounded the pavement in, but are now, well, done? Worn-out soles, ripped fabric, totally unsuited for donation or resale? Millions of these shoes end up in landfills every year. That's a lot of waste! And that waste, as it breaks down, creates methane – a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. That’s where IMPACT RNG comes in. We’ve developed a cutting-edge process that breaks down materials like those old New Balance shoes – the foam, the rubber, even the fabric – through a process called anaerobic digestion. Basically, it’s like a natural composting process, but instead of making dirt, it creates biogas. This biogas is then purified and upgraded to become renewable natural gas – RNG. So, how does it actually work? Think of it like this: New Balance collects shoes that are no longer wearable from their recycling programs and various collection points. Instead of those shoes heading straight to the landfill, they send them to us at IMPACT RNG. We shred the shoes, and then carefully control the environment – no oxygen, perfect temperature – to let naturally occurring microbes “eat” the shoe materials. As they do, they release biogas. This biogas isn’t directly usable as fuel. It needs cleaning! We remove impurities like water, carbon dioxide, and other nasties, leaving behind pure, high-quality RNG. This RNG is then injected into existing natural gas pipelines, where it can be used for all sorts of things. What can RNG power? Pretty much anything natural gas does! Heating homes and businesses: Keep those thermostats comfy. Powering factories: Keeps production lines moving. Transportation: RNG can be compressed and used as fuel for vehicles, including trucks and buses. Imagine powering a fleet of delivery vehicles with old running shoes! Electricity generation: RNG can be used in power plants to generate electricity. Why is this a big deal? Let’s break it down. Reduces Landfill Waste: Fewer shoes in landfills mean less methane released into the atmosphere. It’s a direct win for the environment. Renewable Energy Source: RNG is a renewable fuel source, meaning it replenishes naturally, unlike fossil fuels. Lower Carbon Footprint: RNG significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. By capturing methane from waste and converting it into usable energy, we’re preventing a potent greenhouse gas from escaping into the atmosphere. Circular Economy: This isn't just about waste management; it's about creating a circular economy. We’re taking something that would normally be discarded and turning it into a valuable resource. New Balance’s Commitment to Sustainability: This partnership really highlights New Balance’s dedication to sustainability. They’re not just making great shoes; they’re taking responsibility for the end-of-life of those shoes. The "Shoe to Fuel" Process: A Closer Look We don’t just toss the shoes in and hope for the best. There’s a lot of science involved. Here's a simplified overview: 1. Collection & Sorting: New Balance gathers shoes from various sources and sorts them, ensuring the right materials are used for the process. 2. Shredding & Pre-Processing: The shoes are shredded into smaller pieces to increase the surface area for the microbes to work on. 3. Anaerobic Digestion: This is the heart of the process. The shredded shoe material is placed in a sealed digester, where microbes break down the organic materials in the absence of oxygen. 4. Biogas Collection: The biogas produced during digestion is collected and cleaned. 5. RNG Upgrading: The biogas is upgraded to pipeline-quality RNG by removing impurities like carbon dioxide, water, and hydrogen sulfide. 6. Injection into Pipeline: The RNG is injected into the natural gas pipeline system for distribution and use. What's Next for IMPACT RNG & New Balance? We're just getting started! This pilot program is showing incredible promise, and we’re looking to scale up the process to handle even more shoe waste. We're also exploring ways to incorporate other types of textile waste into the process. This partnership isn’t just about converting shoes into fuel; it’s about demonstrating the power of innovative thinking and collaboration to create a more sustainable future. It's about proving that even something as seemingly mundane as an old running shoe can be part of the solution to climate change. IMPACT RNG is proud to be working with New Balance to turn waste into worth and power a cleaner, greener tomorrow. You can learn more about IMPACT RNG at [insert website address if available]. And check out New Balance’s sustainability initiatives at [insert New Balance sustainability web address].