How to Recycle Athletic Shoes

Part of 'going green' is minimizing the amount of stuff going into landfills. Athletic shoes are among the most popular types of shoes purchased today. Recycling worn-out athletic shoes is easier than ever. What happens to recycled athletic shoes? They can and are being used to create recreational surfaces, such as playgrounds, basketball courts, and running tracks.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• worn-out athletic shoes
• Internet access

1. Check the Internet for recycling programs in your area. National programs are listed in the "Resources" section at the end of this article.
2. Collect your old athletic shoes.
3. Notify friends, family, co-workers, and others about your upcoming recycling effort. Encourage them to recycle their shoes. Or offer to recycle their shoes if they will drop them off at a designated location be a specific deadline -- 2 weeks leadtime is optimal. (Suggested locations include gyms, churches, etc., that will accept, temporarily, worn-out shoes.)
4. Two days before you collect other shoes, send a reminder via text, e-mail, or voicemail.
5. On the specified date, collect the others' shoes. Add them to your own castoffs. Deliver them to the recycling program of your choice.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage gyms to start their own program. They'll benefit the community, potentially attract new members, and if they're in the shoe business, possibly sell more shoes.
• Old shoes can create an unpleasant aroma. Be sure to add a container of baking soda or other room deodorizer to any shoe depository.