As our amazing partners know, running is one of the best fitness activities anyone can do. Every day, millions of people from the north, south, east, and west lace up to run roads and trails. But while running has great health benefits, an adverse environmental impact is hidden in every step taken.
Partners, such as Workout Anytime, realize that there’s a sustainability challenge every time someone throws sneakers into the trash. We’re super happy they chose our team to partner with them in sustainable sneaker disposal and give them a second life instead! The reality is any sports organization can become a leader!
The Environmental Impact of Running Shoes
Sure, some runners don’t give the environmental impact of running shoes a second thought beyond running performance. The next time you lace up a pair of running shoes, think of this: those sneakers produced 30 pounds of CO₂, which is the same as keeping on a lightbulb for a whole week.
It’s also important to realize something else. Runners go through their sneakers quickly. In fact, most runners get rid of their running shoes after 300-500 miles because the sneaker’s quality and comfort degrade and impact performance. That’s why so many shoes and sneakers (300 million!) go into landfills. That adds to our overconsumption problem.
Want to know how long it can take for shoes and sneakers to decompose in a landfill while they emit noxious chemicals into the air? It can easily take 30-40 years due to the textiles and non-degradable materials. But depending on the sneaker part, it can also take the entire span of a human life!
A Partner Making a Difference: Workout Anytime
As we mentioned earlier, sustainable sneaker disposal is something that any running retail store, gym, road race, or marathon can do to help shore up environmental, health, and economic sustainability for local and global communities. Moreover, individuals can also do it for themselves with a mail-in bag reuse program, while supporting a charity.
Workout Anytime knows that doing good by their community goes beyond attracting gym members. Good health and fitness also comes from social good. During their gym partnership with us, they became a place where members could get rid of running shoes they didn’t want any longer.
In other words, the members and the Workout Anytime gym ensured the reuse of sneakers in the circular economy. But it didn’t end with sneaker reuse. The collection of running shoes became an economic opportunity for small business owners in developing countries. So, it has a positive environmental impact and global significance.
Steps Toward Sustainability: How Running Shoes Help
In a world of division, wouldn’t it be great to wake up on a mission to transform lives and the planet? We think so, and many people agree with us. The fact is that there’s an opportunity every day to be part of the solution for someone. Sustainable sneaker disposal is a simple but amazing way to help people and the planet.
Once something becomes clear, in this case, the hidden environmental impact of running shoes, it’s impossible to ‘unknow’ that reality. So, if you think that, as tens of thousands of partners do, each of us can take action steps for a better world, how can you start doing better? Here’s how….
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Recycle Your Running Shoes
For starters, depending on your circumstances, you can become a certified sustainable store or reduce sneaker waste with the mail-in program.
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Choose Sustainable Brands
When you’re looking at new running shoes, you can look at brands that are making or have made the shift to sustainable and recycled materials.
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Join the Running Shoe Reuse Movement
You can extend the life of your running shoes by rotating pairs. Take care of the sneakers, clean them up, and maximize their use.
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Spread Awareness
One of the reasons that most people don’t know about the reuse sneaker movement is that they don’t know. So, take action and spread awareness.
Every Running Step Counts for Sustainability
The environmental impact of running shoes, textiles, and waste is profound. In addition to adding carbon into the air, it also diverts tax dollars into municipal waste services. Those tax dollars should go to health, schools, and the local economies across our country. Consider joining the movement and making a difference.
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