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Delaware · Founded 2024

Every Pair Grows a Tree.

Donate your used sneakers. We sell them to partner organizations and use every dollar to plant native trees across Delaware through Deep Roots Foundation.

0
Pairs Collected
0
Trees Planted
0
% to Impact
Rooted Soles
How It Works

Simple Steps,
Real Impact

From your closet to a living tree in Delaware — four easy steps, zero complications. Just drop off your shoes and we handle everything.

1
👟
Donate Shoes
Drop off at a collection event — or we'll come to you. All types and conditions welcome, we handle the rest.
2
📦
We Sort & Pack
We organize every donation and prepare shipments for our established partner network.
3
💵
Partners Pay Us
Our partner organizations purchase the shoes directly, paying Rooted Soles per pair collected.
4
🌳
Trees Get Planted
Every dollar goes to Deep Roots Foundation, planting native Delaware trees in your community.
Our Impact

Numbers That
Matter

Every number below represents a real shoe collected, a real dollar raised, a real tree planted somewhere in Delaware.

0
Pairs of Shoes Collected
0
Trees Planted in Delaware
0
% of Proceeds to Impact
0
Shoes Sent to Landfill
🗑️
Keeps Shoes Out of Landfills
Over 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away in the U.S. every year. Synthetic materials take decades to break down, leaching toxins into soil and water.
🌳
Funds Real Reforestation
Proceeds fund native Delaware tree planting through Deep Roots Foundation, partnered with DNREC and the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative.
Youth-Driven Change
Founded and operated by young people proving that you don't need a boardroom to create real environmental impact. Just a good idea and the will to act.
👟
Collect
We gather used sneakers from schools, neighborhoods, and community drives across Delaware.
🤝
Sell to Partners
Shoes go to established partner organizations who pay us directly for every pair.
💰
Raise Funds
Every dollar earned from partner sales is directed straight into tree-planting programs.
🌱
Plant Trees
Deep Roots Foundation plants native trees in Delaware parks, roads, and neighborhoods.
100%
Proceeds to Impact
What Is Rooted Soles?

A Mission That
Grows With Every Pair

Rooted Soles was founded on a simple idea: our old sneakers shouldn't end up in a landfill. They should help grow a tree. We collect donated footwear, sell it to partner organizations, and send every dollar to Deep Roots Foundation — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit planting trees across Delaware.


No overhead fluff. No bureaucracy. Just shoes in, trees out.

Our Story

Two Founders.
One Mission.

Two siblings, two organizations, working in perfect tandem. Rooted Soles generates the funding. Deep Roots Foundation plants the trees.

🌱
Founder & CEO · Rooted Soles
Aadhya Pratapagiri

I started Rooted Soles because I kept seeing perfectly good shoes get thrown away. I thought — what if we connected that waste to something meaningful? One pair of shoes, one tree. That idea felt worth building.

Founded in 7th grade — proving real action doesn't wait for permission.
100% transparent — all proceeds fund Deep Roots Foundation directly.
Community-rooted — drives held at schools and local events across Delaware.
🌳
Co-Founder · Deep Roots Foundation
Dhruv Pratapagiri

Deep Roots started with planting 10 trees on Earth Day. Now we've planted 115+ trees across Delaware. Rooted Soles gives us the funding to keep growing — together we're building something real.

501(c)(3) nonprofit — Tower Hill School, Wilmington, Delaware.
115+ trees planted — Valley Rd, Summit Bridge Rd, and more.
DNREC partner — supporting the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative.
Visit Deep Roots Foundation →
Partners & Network

The Organizations
Behind the Mission

We work with established organizations to make sure every shoe donated reaches its highest-impact destination.

Deep Roots Foundation
DNREC Delaware
Tree for Every Delawarean (TEDI)
Soles4Souls
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe
Delaware Schools & PTAs
Community Organizations
FAQ

Got
Questions?

We've got answers. If yours isn't here, use the contact form above.

What types of shoes do you accept?
We accept all types of sneakers and footwear in any condition. We sort donations and send them to our partner organizations who pay us directly per pair.
Where do I drop off my shoes?
We run collection drives at schools and community events across Delaware. Use the contact form to find the nearest drop-off or arrange a pickup for larger donations.
How does the money actually reach the trees?
Partner organizations pay Rooted Soles for every pair of shoes we send them. That money flows directly to Deep Roots Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), which purchases and plants native Delaware trees.
Can my school host a collection drive?
Absolutely — school partnerships are our favorite! We provide collection boxes, flyers, and full guidance. Just reach out through the contact form to get started.
Is my financial donation tax-deductible?
Financial donations to Deep Roots Foundation are tax-deductible as it is a registered 501(c)(3). We can provide documentation upon request.
How can I follow your progress?
Check back on this site for updates on trees planted, shoes collected, and upcoming events. You can also sign up for updates through the contact form.

Your Old Shoes.
Real New Trees.

It takes 30 seconds. Grab those sneakers from your closet and help us grow Delaware's green future — one pair at a time.