Chances are, you have sneakers in your closet. And chances are, before long you’ll need to replace those sneakers especially if you’re a runner. But what to do with your former shoes? Happily, there are many options to keep you from sending them to the landfill.
If your shoes are still in decent shape (just not up to the demands of your sport), put them through the wash, set them out to dry (no need to use the dryer), and then donate them to Goodwill or similar second-hand store. Someone else will certainly put them to good use.
If they are beyond reuse as shoes, the shoe components can be separated, ground, and put to new use. Nike is probably the leader in this regard, giving used athletic shoes new life as playground surfaces, new shoes, and even clothing since 1990. Most Nike retail locations (found in most malls) have bins where you can put used athletic of any brand.
To learn more, check out https://www.nike.com/help/a/recycle-shoes
Photo by Kristian Egelund on Unsplash
