FitSugar

Soles 4 Souls: Donate Your Used Sneakers

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

If you're like me, you own a few pairs of athletic shoes for all your exercise needs. I have a pair for running outside on pavement, a pair for running in the woods, and a pair for tennis. When I buy a new pair of sneakers, I always hold onto the old pair "just in case." It's always good to have a back-up pair, right? Well you may feel differently when you think of the millions of people around the world who can't even afford one pair of sneakers. You can help by donating your old sneaks to an organization called Soles 4 Souls.

I know I retire a pair of running sneaks after I've clocked 350 to 500 miles, but the pair I wear on the treadmill hardly looks worn. If you have gently used sneaks like these, you can mail them to one of these locations.

Fit's Tip: Before sending along your lonely pair, why not compile a collection from your friends, family, and fellow exercisers? I even saw a donation box at my gym recently, so ask at your gym and see if you can set one up, too.

Fittingly Green: 3 Ways to Recycle Your Sneaks

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

One great thing about running is that you don't need a lot of gear to participate in the sport. Basically you need a good pair of sneakers. When your sneakers wear out, don't just toss them away. You can recycle them and green up your running habit. Here are three different organizations that want your old running shoes:

Soles 4 Souls' tag line is "Saving the world - one pair at a time." This organization takes your tired, but "gently worn," sneakers and finds needy feet to fill your old shoes. They strongly suggest organizing shoe drives and mailing all the pairs to one of their three warehouse locations.

One World Running has been serving runners around the world since 1986. Through collection programs, they are able to provide shoes for runners to many countries including Cuba, Nepal, and Mali. Check here for drop-off locations.

To see one organization that will take your well-worn shoes, read more.

Nike Reuse a Shoe takes all brands of sneakers that are beyond "gently worn" and turns those old shoes into a recycled product known as Nike Grind. Once your recycled shoes are reformulated into Nike Grind, they are used to make tracks, indoor basketball courts, fields, and playgrounds. Just drop off your retired sneakers at any Nike store, or check here for locations.

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How to Get the Most Wear Out of Your Sneakers

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I know Earth Day was last week but that does not mean you need to stop being green. The thing with sneakers is that not only are they expensive, but in order to get the most out of them you should get a new pair every few months. That's a lot of sneakers in landfills. Brooks Running gives some great tips on how to get the most out of your sneakers. Some of these you may already do, and some you may not have thought of. They are:

Phase One: Your brand-new running shoes
First, enjoy your brand-new running shoes for 300 miles of pure running joy. Use their cushioning and resiliency to give you the perfect ride as you run day after day.
Phase Two: Transition to casual street shoes
Once they pass the 300-mile mark, those trusty running shoes make great casual street-wear. Pair them with jeans for a trip to the grocery store, an outing with your dog, or a day at the park.

There are more great ideas so read more.

Phase Three: Transition to work-around-the-house shoes
Of course, even casual street shoes begin to show signs of age over time. Offer them a change of pace by promoting them to lawn mowing, painting, or gardening shoes.
Phase Four: Retirement from active work life
You may think the next best place for your well-worn, around-the-house work shoes is the trash. But wait one minute! If they're still in good shape, those shoes have more life left to give. They can help someone in need when you donate them to charity. Find a local drop-off center in your community or ship them to a national organization, like Soles4Souls or One World Running.
Phase Five: A final resting spot
After years of use and wear, those running shoes are ready for their final resting spot in a local landfill. [At Brooks], if they have a BioMoGo midsole, parts of the shoe will be returned to the earth as reusable byproducts that can help grow trees and plants.

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