How to Recycle Your Old Running Shoes

Running shoes tend to wear out faster than the shoes you wear every day. They endure heavy impact, absorb sweat and their cushioning often breaks down long before the upper materials show significant wear.

That means most running shoes won’t last as long as we’d like. While there are a few ways to extend their lifespan, your running shoes will eventually wear out—no matter how well you care for them.

So what should you do with your trusted trainers once they’ve run their last mile? Here's how you can recycle or repurpose your running shoes in environmentally friendly and meaningful ways.

There are several nationwide recycling programs that accept old running shoes. Each has slightly different guidelines for what they accept and how they process shoes, but all aim to reduce landfill waste and give materials a second life.

TerraCycle

TerraCycle is a global company that specializes in recycling hard-to-recycle waste—things that can’t go in your curbside bin. From snack wrappers and cigarette butts to coffee pods and running shoes, TerraCycle operates in over 20 countries with a mission to “eliminate the idea of waste.”

With TerraCycle, you can purchase a Shoes and Footwear Zero Waste Box, which accepts nearly all types of footwear, except for skates and ski boots. There are currently three box sizes available, ranging from $156-$362. Once full, you ship the box back to TerraCycle using a prepaid FedEx label.

Since the boxes do cost money, they’re ideal for group collections. Consider organizing a recycling drive at your running club, gym, workplace or local race to split the cost and recycle more pairs at once.

Once received, TerraCycle sorts and processes the shoes.

“Waste is aggregated at our facility and then sent to a processor where the collected waste is mechanically and/or manually separated into fabrics, metals, fibers and plastics,” a TerraCycle spokesperson told Fleet Feet.

The individual shoe components are then incorporated into broader recycling streams and repurposed into new materials for manufacturing.

Nike’s Recycle Program

Nike offers a popular and free shoe recycling program available at many of its retail stores.

The program only accepts Nike or Converse shoes, and they must be dropped off in person at a participating Nike location. Once collected, Nike recycles the shoes to help produce new athletic apparel, playgrounds, tracks and sports courts.

This convenient, no-cost option is a part of their Move to Zero initiative and is a great option for anyone looking to recycle well-worn Nike or Converse shoes and support the circular economy.

While old running shoes usually aren't ideal for resale at a thrift store, many lightly used pairs still have plenty of life left, and there are several organizations that specialize in giving running shoes to people in need.

Maybe your shoes didn’t quite fit right or your kids outgrew them quickly. Those gently worn shoes could make a big impact for someone else.

Here are a few trusted nonprofit organizations that accept used running shoes:

Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls collects and distributes new and gently used shoes to individuals living in poverty. Their goal is to empower people by providing footwear that helps them attend school, find work and stay healthy.

They also host volunteer trips and corporate giving programs.

One World Running

One World Running focuses specifically on giving used running shoes to athletes in need around the world. This Boulder-based nonprofit was founded by sports journalist Mike Sandrock after a trip to West Africa inspired him to make a difference through running.

Share Your Soles

Share Your Soles delivers gently used shoes to people in under-resourced communities across the globe. Their mission is to improve mobility, health and access to education and employment by providing appropriate footwear.

Another easy way to donate or recycle your running shoes is by calling your local Fleet Feet. Most Fleet Feet stores have donation bins or partner with recycling programs to put old running shoes to good use.

Fleet Feet

Another easy way to recycle or donate your running shoes is to call your local Fleet Feet. Many stores have donation bins on-site or partner with recycling programs to help keep old shoes out of landfills and into the hands (or onto the feet) of those who need them.

If the only problem is that the cushioning is worn out, consider repurposing your old running shoes.

You can use old shoes to cut the grass or work in the garden. Painting the walls? Throw on an grubby pair so you don’t have to worry about them. You could also cut off the backs and use them as slip ons to take the dog out.

Your Impact Starts Here

While running shoes may not last forever, their impact doesn’t have to end when you stop wearing them. By recycling or donating your old running shoes, you’re helping reduce waste, support community health and give someone else the opportunity to move forward (literally).

Whether you choose TerraCycle, Nike’s Move to Zero or one of the many nonprofit donation programs, there’s a sustainable and meaningful way to part with your well-worn kicks.