A while back, we featured a story about UniquEco – an award-winning African company that was turning discarded flip flops into innovative pieces of art and jewelry. It was a story that resonated with our readers, who immediately wrote in from all around the country, asking where they could send their old flip flops.

It seemed natural that we should become UniquEco’s first collection source in the U.S. After all, we are StyleSubstanceSole – oops, Soul. We’re all about doing good. And because we live in Southern California – the land of flip flops – what better place to make a real impact? We could actually help reduce landfills one flip flop at a time.

We’re proud that Hansen’s, San Diego’s oldest surf shop, has come onboard to collect flip flops for us, generously offering a discount on a new pair to anyone who brings in their old ones.

You can make a difference by bringing your old flip flops to Hansen’s, 1105 South Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas, or sending them to StyleSubstanceSoul, 3525 Del Mar Heights Road #582, San Diego, CA 92130. If you know a local business that would like to collect flip flops, we’d love to get them involved!