New Uses For Your Old Kicks
Put your shoes to good use and donate them to one of these programs.
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If you’re replacing your running shoes at a healthy rate of every 3–5 months, you’ve probably amassed quite a collection of “painting sneakers.” Put your shoes to good use and donate them to one of these programs.
Shoe4Africa will take shoes with at least 100 miles left on them to be used for the prevention of hookworm and to promote health and fitness programs in Africa. Learn how to ship your shoes at Shoe4africa.org.
Nike Reuse a Shoe recycles every part of the shoe: The rubber of the outsole is melted down for running tracks, the upper fabric goes into padding under basketball courts and the foam from the midsole is used on tennis courts. Find drop-off locations at Nikereuseashoe.com.
Started in 2004 after the tsunami hit Southeast Asia, Soles4Souls collects new and used shoes to help with crisis relief and eliminating poverty. Find drop-off locations at Soles4souls.org.
You can donate the shoes you just raced in (you’ll receive a pair of replacement flip-flops) to Give Your Sole, an organization that gives moderately worn shoes to local shelters in the town of half- and full marathons. Giveyoursole.com
Ask if your local running store has a shoe donation program. Many will often partner with an organization. More programs can be found at Recycledrunners.com.