At some point, that trusty parkrun shoe or marathon training companion no longer feels as grippy as it did when you first unpacked it. Your first thought is probably to throw them in the nearest trash can. However, this is likely to end up in landfill with other waste, where it will be burned and end up producing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
The most responsible action would be to replace waste with recycling and give a new life to these retired runners. Fortunately, there are now many ways to do this. So thinking twice about how to throw away your running shoes when it’s time to upgrade them should give you some inspiration on what to do with your best running shoes when it’s time to let them go.
1. Donate it
There are now many organizations that take your old running shoes and donate them to those who can still put them to good use. the taste of Sneakers4Good in the United States, or JogOn AND Popular sports in the UK are some of the services you can use as part of this approach.
For example, JogOn works with running providers such as SportsShoes.com and Start Fitness. This allows you to send one or more pairs of shoes (up to 30 at a time), inspect the shoes to see if they are still in use, and then send them to JogOn to charities and organizations that can donate shoes to those who need them most. Shipping your shoebox costs £2; JogOn also carries football boots and hiking boots if one of them is no longer needed.
Of course, you can also go to charity shops, although the above options will probably ensure that your shoes end up on the feet of other runners and those who will appreciate being able to lace up your old running shoes.
2. Recycle them in a functioning store
There are running stores that allow you to leave your shoes where they will be recycled, reused and, most importantly, away from landfill. , so you can drop off any brand of running shoe at a participating Nike store. Nike then donates them to its nonprofit partners or uses the materials as part of its recycling services, such as Nike Grind, which takes materials like foam, rubber and textile waste from end-of-life shoes and uses them to make Nike Grind products.
At least 20% of the materials used in the manufacturing of the Nike Air Zoom Superrep 2 shoes are Nike Grind products. Rubber from parts like the soles of old shoes can end up on basketball courts and playgrounds, like in the image above in the Chinese city of Dakui. Upholstery foams are sent to companies that can use them for surface design, while lint from shoes is burned in a waste recycler to generate energy.
Swiss company On recently launched its subscription service, which basically allows you to rent one of its most durable running shoes. Once the shoe is worn out, it can be replaced with a new one while new parts are made from the old shoe.
RunnersNeed in the UK operates their recycling service, which is free to use and all you have to do is drop off your shoes in one of the store’s collection bins. Joined forces with Phoenix Resource Center to inspect shoes, where good shoes are reused and worn shoes are broken down into raw materials and then sent to British industries to be used in place of new materials.
3. Get them repaired
Maybe you’re not ready to let go yet and decide to repair your favorite pieces instead of buying a new pair. There are now places that can repair your running shoes. NuShoe in the United States and The key shoemakerBoth are intended to replace the grippy Vibram soles commonly found on a variety of trail shoes from Nike, INOV8, Hoka, and Brooks.
There are some running shoe brands that will repair your running shoes for you, such as Vivobarefoot and Co. revive Program. You can send your used Vivobarefoot shoes for deep cleaning or repair. Alternatively, you can trade in any brand of used shoes at Vivobarefoot to receive 20% off a pair of Vivobarefoots or the easier to repair ones.
4. Reuse them for non-routine activities
They may have lost their magic when you’re trying to set a personal record in a marathon, but that doesn’t mean they no longer deserve a place on your feet when you’re not running. If the padding is torn and the upper shows signs of wear, why not reserve the shoe for activities that do not require these elements to be in perfect condition?
Reserve them for gardening or save them for the gym, where you can be sure they’ll be comfortable enough for workouts that don’t necessarily require the best sneakers for maximum support or protective cushioning for optimal form.
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