24 replies to this topic

[Pips]

What do you all do with your old running shoes? A web search brought up some places in the US and UK where you can donate your old shoes, but none in Australia. Does anyone know of any Oz shoe recycling groups?

[beach runner]

I have 6 pairs of old shoes which have each done one marathon each. They hold good memories so they now have been retired to lawn mowing duties- expensive ones at that.

[Luckylegs]

Pips, I don't know of any re-cycling of old runners ( shoes, that is!) mine become gardening shoes; either that or I give them away to non-running friends! :rolleyes:

If they're not too worn or stinky :) you'd be surprised how places like 'Lifeline', 'Sallies', 'Vinnies', etc...can find use for them...just a thought! :)

[Davo]

Beach Runner,
I hate to sound like a wet blanket, and I know this is nothing directly to do with running, but......I work in a horticultural establishment, and one of the basic rules they have is that you should never mow the lawn in anything less than full strength working boots. I'd hate to see you get half a toe chopped off, or half your ankle bone chipped away by flying stones (and therefore....no running for a long time!), just because you mowed the lawn in flimsy old running shoes.
<_<

[Jogger]

I did a search a while back and found nowhere in Australia. I even contacted Nike as they have a scheme in the USA where old shoes are taken to Africa etc for people to use there but they weren't interested in the idea (bastards!)

So I have an idea:

- an enterprising place like Athletes Foot has a bin to collect old shoes

-maybe they knock $25 off if you buy a new pair there

- they donate the shoes to Africa ? a remote aboriginal settlement ?

- I am sure that the right representation to Qantas etc will see them transport them for free

-The enterprising shop gets a good plug to use when they advertise. They get extra custom. Runners get cheaper shoes. Poor people get some help.

- even if you don't buy a new pair there you can still srop off an old pair - it will encourage runners to frequent their stores (maybe buy some socks etc??)

I would even write this up as a proposal and send it to a buch of shops. When they are onboard, would just need to agree/decide where to send them (can even find out where the USA-folk send theirs).

Now which enterprising shop is going to snap up the idea first !?!?

[mickmcc]

I give mine to the local op shop. They might not be much good for running, but they work fine for most people's walking.

Mick

[Tesso]

Intraining at Toowong (Brisbane) used to take them and ship them off overseas to those in need of shoes. For those in Bris its worth a call to see if they are still doing that.

[Winston]

I think Kevins idea is a great one, however will those companies get on board?

Ascot Vale Sports and Fitness Centre is a YMCA and are currently looking for old/good shoes in sizes 6-8, dont ask me if thats mens or womens or UK or US sizes, as well as jackets and other clothing to take to Nepal. If your interested in dontating some shoes or clothes you can contact the centre on 93753411 and speak to customer service asking about donating clothes and shoes for Nepal.. I think its still running. If this gym is to far out of your way maybe try your local YMCA..

:D

[Kennardly]

Kevin, I was recently in Maningrida, Arnhem Land and I thought about arranging for old runners to be sent up to the locals as none of them seemed to wear shoes. When I enquired with our "Balanda" (White) friends that live there they said that they are so used to not wearing shoes that they don't really need them. And when they do get a nice shiny new pair from Darwin they usually end up on somebodys roof within no time!

[karisma]

Tesso,

Steve at Intraining still does collect old shoes and sends them over to India where they are much appreciated and put to good use.

We recently gave him two big bags full!!
It was so sad to see the first pair of running shoes I ever wore out go!! but they will be going to a good home.....
:)

[Pips]

That's a great idea Kevin, that was just the sort of thing I had in mind!

Do any sandgropers know if runner's world or running styles already do this?

[Jogger]

In reply to Winston (mainly), I am sure that Rebel or Athletes Foot or someone would do this if it was put to them properly.

It would be good PR and would likely even encourage people to go into their stores.

It would be much better if a national chain did it, so that people all over the country can just drop off their old shoes. If it was someone like Runners World then as they only have one office in VIC, you would have to send your shoes in, so fewer people will bother.

Hey Winston - don't you have any clout with the people you work for (!!??)

I might even draft a letter and send to a few choice companies.

[Kelvin]

I know that Sportsco offers a discount on used shoes (one the www.sportsco.com.au website it's the first thing that comes up), however have no idea what they do with them.
As for my shoes i can honestly say that once they have been downgraded from racing to running to work to wearing around home to sitting in the cupboard dead no one would want them, can't say i have ever had a truly dead pair that hasn't eventually had a hole worn through the sole.

[pastyboy]

I usually hand my old runners (sometimes they aren't so old, just tired) to my eldest son, who wears them out in no time...who knows what he does with them. Ah, kids. Gotta luv em.

Pasty

[Michael Pine]

that sending out to communities idea sounds pretty good.. or maybe someone can put together a 101 uses for dead runners book... like that dead cat book that came out a while ago.

Mikey

[DrJH]

By the time I've finished with mine, they're no good for anything other than the bin.

[Uncle Dave]

Great idea Kev,

There's a few old pairs of shoes lying around the Criniti household that could probably be better served if they were given a new home, than they would be in the bin.

Obviously I don't run as hard as Dr JH. Maybe I need to get down to Parra Park a bit more often!

Cheers,

Dave

[Grey beard]

Hand-me-downs are a nice idea Pasty but for me the chance has long since passed. My feet stopped growing at size 9 while junior's are still growing at size 13!
Like Luckylegs mine get pensioned off as (non-mowing) gardening shoes and for walking (the loss of bounce doesn't seem to matter). They get a new lease of life with a quick spin through the cold cycle (when the wife's not around).

[Colin]

Mine get the full use in their after(running )life. Great for canyoning, but most get used in general wear and working around the house.

I'm also all for sending to third world countries... but definitely not for running use. If it no longer guarranteed to keep me injury free then its no good for others. Those guys would be better off running as they do without shoes.

[ingrid]

Last time I was in Thailand, I decided to leave a pair of my running shoes, along with some other clothes I wouldnt be needing with the family of the guesthouse I was staying with, the mother seemed to be a bit confused at first, and I hoped that I hadn't offended them, but I had the best feeling when I woke up the next day to see the young daughter going off to school in her new shoes!

[Steve Howard]

G'day Kevin,

What about if Coolrunning organised a few drop-off points in each state (for old shoes). The stores can tune the old shoes up with leftover innersoles donated by orthotic wearers & laces if needed only wholesale for 50 cents.

Im sure a Coolhelper would be able to collect and organise the sending of the shoes on a monthly basis...... I'd be happy to do the Sydney area!
Winston for Melb.??? ;)

[Colin]

Interesting concept. :rolleyes: The life-cycle of the running shoe.

Made in the third world for a few dollars and sold to the first world for megabucks, used to within an inch of its use by date, then donated back to the third world.

[Thomas]

I remember reading an article in Runners World a few years back, I think it was the British version, for a great idea on what do with them - their advice -

Plant flowers in them and place them strategically around the house - on window sills, next to your bed etc.

What a great look - I don't know why yo'all aren't doing it. :D

[Steve Howard]

The World Vision corporate dept. are interested in the idea, I have also got a major shoe company who is willing to donate a few pairs of (new) socks each month.

[poita1]

Kevin's idea is a good one.
Several years ago ( I think 1993 before the South Pacific Mini Games which were in Port Vila) a Bendigo sports store run a "trade in" offer as a promo. I contacted him to find out what his intentions were with the shoes. He wasn't sure what to do. I took them off his hands and arranged some free freight to Vanuatu by Air Vanuatu to deliver to the Olympic Committee over there. Most of the shoes were in reasonable condition.

It is important that they be reasonable clean.

With Xmas fast approaching perhaps Kevin's idea could be put to a chain as a promo rather than one brand. Small countries in the pacific region would love to have them and suggest best to use the NOC as distibutor