Recycling running shoes, water bottles
I ran in a race this past weekend, and it had me thinking about all the trampling on the planet we runners are doing.
Take running shoes. Most of us go through at least two pairs a year. And what can we do with them? Running shops often will take them back and make sure they get reused if they still have life left in them or recycled.
A couple local shops that do are Falls Road Running Store and Charm City Run. Ask your shop if they do. There are also groups, including the Perpetual Prosperity Pumps Foundation, with local contacts. There's also Goodwill, which will take them and sell them if they are in good shape.
Anyone know of others?
Another less easy problem to solve are all those water cups and water bottles handed out during and after races.
Certainly, putting on one of these big events is a logistical nightmare. Organizers have a limited amount of time they are allowed to close streets, run a race and clean up. It's quite a dance, if you've never watched it -- so I don't want to knock anyone.
Still, I've seen some organizers put out cardboard recycling boxes for the water bottles handed out after races, but not at this one. I'm not sure what the best answer is for handing out water along the race course. Anyone have an idea or seen a good method?
Baltimore Sun Photo of a recycling event in Columbia 2006/Algerina Perna
Comments
the link for local goodwill is: www.goodwillches.org
Posted by: Anonymous | June 17, 2009 8:26 AM
Fleet Feet in Reisterstown also has a recycling bin. Also, http://shoe4africa.org is wortha look.
Posted by: Will | June 17, 2009 9:15 AM
As a Runner too, this does concern me. Brooks says it has a shoe that breaks down in the landfill. I hope that is true.
Posted by: BaltimorePlaces | June 17, 2009 4:31 PM
Well one solution is to have a $5.00 deposit on running shoes (like some states do for bottles/cans, car batteries, etc.). One can then apply the $5 to their next pair; the retailer would then collect the shoes and from there the shoes would enter the recycling process.
The relationship between the manufacturers and the consumers needs to firm up if there is to be a comprehensive and feasible solution to this problem.
Yes that Andy.
Posted by: Andy | June 17, 2009 7:59 PM
Do any of the local shops take basketball shoes too? I use one or two pair each year, and just can't bear to toss them in the trash.
Long ago, I remember Charles Barkley used old, donated hoops shoes to help build public basketball courts. That's why I haven't thrown mine out yet, hoping to put them to better use.
Posted by: JoJo | June 17, 2009 10:17 PM
I believe Shoe 4 Africa is also where Charm City Run donates their old shoes, and you also get 10% off a new pair when you donate an old one. The tactic works beautifully, as I only buy my shoes there now.
Posted by: Mary | June 18, 2009 7:35 AM
You can also take them to the Nike store in Arundel Mills--they'll recycle them in tracks and playgrounds.
Posted by: Peter | June 18, 2009 1:46 PM