What to do with Old Running Shoes and Other Gear

If you treat yourself to new running shoes or gear, it can put your old gear out of regulation.

It can be tempting to just stuff your old stuff into the back of the cupboard or even toss it into the garbage.

This is not very eco-friendly and with all the environmental strain we have put on the globe, it is great to reduce your impact as much as possible.

There are so many ways that you can clear your closet of all your old belongings without having to toss them in the trash.

This article will give you a rundown on what to do with things you no longer need, where to send them, and what to make of them.

Recycle

There are many different programs that will assist you when recycling your old shoes. This is a great and environmentally friendly way to dispose of your old shoes. These include Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe, Shoe4Africa, Soles4Souls, and One World Running. 

Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program collects unusable shoes and converts them into Nike Grind material. This is then repurposed to make athletic and playground surfaces plus some Nike products. Since 1990 this program has repurposed more than 28 million shoes.

Soles4Souls donates new or lightly worn shoes to homeless people and those living in poverty. Some are sent to entrepreneurs in less developed countries. This gives them the opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty and begin their own business venture. 

One World Running is a company dedicated to improving the awareness of nutrition, fitness, and health around the globe. It is an international program and donates running shoes to those who need them. They also host 5k runs to boost community feel and increase the understanding and appreciation of exercise. 

You can also recycle any electronic running appliances. These could be anything from watches to smartphones. There are many companies that have specific areas dedicated to recycling electronic gadgets to prevent them from ending up in landfills. Earth 911 has a lot of information on their website about recycling electronics. 

Sell

If you have any old gear that you have not used or is still in a good condition, you are likely to make some decent money back by selling it.

Good places to do this include apps such as Vinted and Depop sites like eBay or Craigslist, or even at a yard sale. 

This can be anything from clothes to medals, to electronics. People will buy almost anything, and you won’t lose anything by trying.

Who knows, you could even make enough money to buy yourself some brand new running gear. 

Donate

Clothes and shoes that are in usable condition can also be donated. This will not make you any money but you will sleep easy knowing that your old clothes are being used to improve someone’s life. 

The Salvation Army and Big Brothers or Big Sisters charities are good starting points. They should be washed before being donated. 

You can also donate medals that you have won. There is a company called Medals4Mettle which is non-profit. They take on your old metals and repurpose them.

They are donated to people who have demonstrated courage in their everyday lives. These can be for people who deal with severe handicaps, diseases, or hardships. 

If you have functioning electronic gadgets, you can donate them to charities or charity shops. 

Upcycle

You can cut up your old running shirts and repurpose them into whatever you like. Corsets are very fashionable at the moment, and there are plenty of video tutorials on how to make one from any old shirt. 

Alternatively, you could cut up patches from shirts you have worn in memorable races and use these patches to make a quilt. This way you will always look fondly back at it and think of good times. 

Use as rags

If your shirts are not in a wearable condition, this does not mean that they should just be thrown out. Cut them up into small pieces and use them as cleaning rags. 

They can be used for dusting, washing the car, or honestly anything you can think of. They are washable and reusable, making a great, eco-friendly, and zero waste cleaning product.

Organize and store

If you are someone who assigns a lot of sentimental value to their belongings, you may find it hard to get rid of old stuff.

If you are going to keep things in your home, it is absolutely vital that you are organized to prevent your home from becoming cluttered and overwhelmed. 

A good idea is to buy some storage boxes and fold all sentimental clothing neatly into them. If you have race photos, it is wise to organize these into photo albums so that you can easily reflect back on the experiences. 

Make art

This is a fun way to commemorate your physical achievements. Look on Pinterest for inspiration, it is guaranteed that there will be a huge range of ideas. 

Repurposing your old gear like this gives it a new lease of life and will add a spark to your home. Make a wall hanger for your medals, or display running bibs from sentimental races in a large photo frame on the wall.

Summary

So there you have it.

There are a huge number of things that you can do with your old running gear, without throwing it away.