The global consumption rate has skyrocketed in the past few decades. And as consumption increases, so does waste. The average American will produce nearly five pounds of garbage daily, adding up to a national average of 292.4 million tons of solid waste yearly.
An often overlooked area of waste is shoes and sneakers. It’s estimated that Americans alone throw away over 300 million pairs of shoes every year, which takes 30-40 years or more to decompose in landfills. Sneakers are one of the most popular types of footwear, so they make up a large portion of the shoes that get thrown away.
Luckily, there are ways to part with your old running shoes responsibly. We’ll help you uncover the best route by discussing these topics:
- Are Old Running Shoes Recyclable?
- Why Does Recycling Running Shoes Matter?
- Brands that Will Recycle Running Shoes: Sneakers4Good
Let’s start by discussing whether running shoes are recyclable.
Are Old Running Shoes Recyclable?
The short answer is yes! Recycling sneakers is a great way to keep them in circulation and out of landfills. But, because athletic shoes are made of various materials, including rubber or synthetic fibers, they can’t just be thrown into the recycling bin.
Instead, you can resell, repurpose, or partner with a sneaker recycling program to give your running shoes a new life. Let’s break down each option:
- Resell your running shoes through consignment shops, online platforms, or to your peers. Just be sure your sneakers are in good condition before you put them up for sale.
- Repurpose your running shoes by transforming or adapting them for a purpose other than their original one. For example, you could turn them into planters or use them for gardening.
- Partner with a sneaker recycling program where you can trade your gently worn, new or used sneakers and running shoes to a sustainable program and get paid for them!
Recycling running shoes can be incredibly easy, especially if you partner with an organization like Sneakers4Good to handle the logistics. Our dedicated customer experience team has helped organizations nationwide join the sneaker sustainability movement!
Why Does Recycling Running Shoes Matter?
It’s possible to recycle running shoes, but why does it matter? What’s the harm in not recycling shoes and simply tossing them away? Besides missing out on potential funds, recycled shoes can make a big difference in:
- Reducing waste sent to landfills. As consumption increases, landfills become crowded and pollute clean air and water. Before sending sneakers (and any other waste) to landfills, consider whether someone else could reuse them or if you can find a creative way to use them. Recycling your running shoes means less waste goes to landfills, where it will sit for decades before decomposing.
- Conserving energy and natural resources. Collecting and refining brand-new raw materials requires far more energy than reusing existing materials. For example, recycled athletic shoes can provide natural materials like rubber, so manufacturers don’t have to source them from natural resources. By reducing the need to mine or extract these resources, you can help protect natural habitats that are often polluted or destroyed.
- Promoting sustainable practices. When people practice sustainable living, it promotes awareness that can positively impact cultural norms. Additionally, brands that engage in recycling can promote environmentally conscious spending habits.
- Creating jobs and strengthening the economy.Recycling creates roughly nine times more jobs than the garbage industry, leading to more economic growth. These jobs include a variety of roles, ranging from drivers to sorters to facility managers. Recycling can also provide recovered materials to manufacturers at a lower cost, further supporting the economy by increasing their profit margins.
With all the benefits of recycling your athletic shoes, there’s no reason to toss them in the trash—especially when recycling is so easy!
Brands that Will Recycle Running Shoes: Sneakers4Good
Skip the landfill and recycle your running sneakers with Sneakers4Good! Through our innovative sneaker reuse program, we can help you sidestep complicated recycling center processes while still supporting sustainability and the planet. Here’s how it works:
- Contact Sneakers4Good for a dedicated sneaker Reuse & Recycling Kit.
- Collect gently worn, used and new athletic shoes from your community.
- Ship the shoes to Sneakers4Good in pre-paid shipping bags.
- Receive a payment for the athletic shoes you collected.
- Send that payment to a local nonprofit or another community organization in need!
Sneakers4Good’s team will guide you through the process with informative how-to videos, top tips, and amazing customer service. Plus, you’ll get paid for the sneakers you send, which you can put toward improving your community or supporting a nonprofit cause you believe in.
Whether you run a running shoe retail store, road race, marathon, gym, running club, or cross-country team, Sneakers4Good’s experienced recycling team can help you recycle your running shoes and take a step further to save the planet!
Additional Resources
Recycling running shoes is incredibly beneficial for the environment. Whether you work at a gym, running club, or any other type of organization, you can partner with a shoe recycling provider and give your old shoes a new life. For more information about how to get started, contact Sneakers4Good’s team.
If you want to learn how you can live more sustainably, check out these resources:
- How to Donate Running Shoes: The Ultimate FAQ Guide. Explore how your shoes can make a difference when you donate them.
- What to Do with Old Running Shoes: Eco-Friendly Ideas. Looking for more ideas to recycle running shoes? Explore our list of creative ways to dispose of your old sneakers.
- How to Start a Running Club: The Ultimate Guide. This guide will help you build a group of athletes who share your passion for running.
