Where to Recycle Your Old Running Shoes
Image: Zlikovec, Adobe Stock
An estimated 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away in the United States each year. Most of these shoes end up in the landfill, where they can take decades to decompose. Unless you put a lot of research into buying the most sustainable pair of running shoes you can find, chances are that your athletic shoes are made from materials that will harm the environment when you toss them.
Running shoes are traditionally made from materials that are resource intensive, take a long time to decompose, and emit chemicals into the environment when they do. For example, synthetic rubber that makes up the soles of many running shoes leaches dangerous chemicals and microplastics into the environment when they decompose. Polyester, which is used in the upper sections of many running shoes, is made from petroleum, emits large amounts of pollutants, and creates microplastics when washed and decomposed.
Because of this, throwing your running shoes back into the landfill when they’re worn out isn’t the most eco-friendly way to get rid of your old shoes.
Here are a few organizations that will either give your gently worn shoes a second life in an underserved community or break down your old shoes to turn them into materials that will be repurposed in new shoes or flooring.
One World Running
One World Running collects, washes and sends athletic shoes along with t-shirts, shorts, medicine and school to developing countries. They also have a program that supplies new military recruits with shoes. If you’re interested in seeing your old shoes find a second home in an underserved global population, you can box and mail in your shoes to One World Running’s office in Boulder, Colorado.
Nike Reuse-a-Shoe
Nike’s reuse-a-shoe program accepts athletic shoes (but not cleats) in any condition and breaks them down into materials that see a new life as playgrounds, indoor flooring and tracks. You can drop your shoes off at participating locations (they no longer offer a list of locations that accept recycled shoes, you drop by your local store and ask if they accept shoes for recycling).
Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls accepts gently worn shoes that they give back to communities and help people start their own used shoe businesses. You can either take your shoes to a local drop-off location or mail them in for free.
No matter how you slice it, disposing of old athletic shoes and activewear will create some impact on the environment. With this in mind, purchasing sturdy gear that will last you for a long time is best. When you have to dispose of your shoes, do your best to keep them out of the landfill. Do you have other activewear that you want to keep from the landfill? Learn where to recycle your yoga pants and other gear.
