HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- The city of Hallandale Beach and Hallandale Beach Elementary School have joined forces to develop a citywide sneaker-recycling program for the local community.

The Hallandale Elementary School Science Club is now collecting any and all sneakers and athletic shoes as part of their participation in the annual Disney Environmentality Challenge.

Twenty-eight fourth and fifth graders from the club, led by Mary DelBorrello, want to do their part to be “Eco Stars."

Every year, millions of sneakers are thrown away only to end up clogging landfills and wasting reusable material. By collecting old and used sneakers and athletic shoes, the school can do its part to recycle for brand new athletic surfaces, like football fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, running tracks and playgrounds for kids all around the world.

The program is part of a national campaign created by Disney in conjunction with Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program. Schools all around the nation will become part of a long chain of collectors that do their part for recycling for the greater good.

“Our goal is to collect 500 to 1,000 shoes by May and to raise awareness of reusable products," DelBorrello said.

For those wishing to donate their sneakers, boxes will be at all city facilities and parks, the elementary school and participating businesses.

For more information on how you can get involved and a list of participating businesses, visit the city’s website at HallandaleBeachFl.gov or contact City Hall at 954-457-1468 or the Chamber of Commerce at 954-457-0541.