Hawai'i County is asking residents to turn in their worn-out athletic shoes for recycling into play surface material.

The county is participating for the first time in the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program. Sponsors include Nike, the Department of Environmental Management, the Hawai'i County Fire Department, Matson and Conen's Freight Transport.

Shoes can be dropped off through April 26 at fire stations. All brands of athletic shoes will be accepted. However, rubber slippers, athletic cleats and Heelys will not be accepted.

The old shoes will be used to produce Nike Grind, a material used by leading sports and playground surfacing companies. Nike also is working on ways to use Nike Grind in new apparel, footwear and equipment, the county said.

For more information, contact Rebekah Sluss at the Department of Environmental Management at 808-961-8527 or visit www.hawaiizerowaste.org.