FitSugar

Nike Reuse-A-Shoe

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

I've told you about a great way to donate your kicks to people who can't afford sneakers of their own, but Nike has another great way to get rid of your old sneakers (instead of just tossing them) called Reuse-A-Shoe. Basically, all you do is donate your old sneakers (not just Nikes, they'll take any brand of sneaks) to their designated drop off locations and they will take care of the rest. They turn those old shoes into a recycled product known as Nike Grind. From there, the Nike Grind materials are separated into three categories: outsole rubber, midsole foam and upper fabric. This Nike Grind material is used in production of surfaces like FieldTurf fields that Nike helps donate around the world. For each field, they're talking the amount of rubber from approximately 75,000 pairs of shoes, unused manufacturing material that won’t end up in landfills.

For more information on the program and to find a Reuse-A-Shoe drop off location near you, visit Nike.com.

When to Ditch Your Old Sneaks and Where to Donate Them

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:47:28 PDT

You finally broke in your running kicks, and they fit as perfectly as a pair of socks. But wait, how long have you been wearing them? Is it already time to spring for a new pair? You're supposed to replace sneakers after 300 to 500 miles, but that's not too helpful if you're not keeping track of mileage and can't remember the date you bought your last pair.

Over time, running shoes lose their ability to absorb shocks, properly cushion your steps, and support your arches. If you continue to run in them, you'll increase the stress and impact on your legs and joints, which is a surefire way to develop shin splints, stress fractures, or other overuse injuries.

Keep reading to find out how to tell it's time to replace your running sneakers.

How to Green Your Running

Susi May — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:01:14 PDT

You might already take your own bags to the grocery store and keep your hot showers short, but there are always new ways to go green. Take running for instance. It's already fairly eco-friendly, but there is always room for improvement. Here are some simple ways to make your sneaker time a bit more green:

Create eco-friendly racing habits: Many of us like to test our mettle among other runners, which means racing. Instead of traveling to destination races, reduce your carbon footprint by racing closer to home. Use Active.com to find an event close to your zip code. Also, look for races that have been certified green by Council For Responsible Sports; the group uses five measurement to determine if a race is environmentally friendly. These certifications last for two years. Another simple tip is carpool to a race or take public transportation if you can.
Look for green sneakers: I am not saying you should limit your selection of running shoes to the actual color green (although Sandra Bullock is a fan of brightly colored sneaks), but look for brands that are eco-aware. For instance, Brooks uses boxes that are made from 100-percent post-consumer-recycled content, and the running shoe giant's Silence sneaker is made out of all kinds of recycled bits. Another eco-option are shoes by Newton. The company also packages its sneakers in 100-percent post-consumer-recycled material shoeboxes that are made less toxic by being printed with soy ink. All shoes by Newton contain recycled materials from the laces and webbing (100 percent) to the outersole (10 percent).
Fight litter bugs: Become an eco-runner and pick up trash as you log miles. Carry along a bag to stash the trash litterbugs have left behind on your favorite running trail or path. While this might not be feasible for every run, try to do it once a month. Running can be a beautiful thing . . . for the environment.

There are a few more ways to green your running, so keep on reading.