Spring Cleaning: Recycle Your Sneakers

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If you're an athlete - or a pack rat - you've probably got several pairs of old sneakers hiding in the back of your closet. Well spring is here and it's out with the old and in with the new.

FitSugar posted three great ways to recycle your sneakers (or tennies as I call them - damn those Midwestern roots). If your shoes are gently worn you can donate to Souls for Shoes or One World Running:

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. You can organize a shoe drive at your office or school or just donate your shoes at a local drop-off center. Learn more about donating here.

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.

If your cheap like me and like to wear your shoes until they are beyond repair, you can donate to Nike Reuse a Shoe.

Nike Reuse a Shoe accepts sneakers of all brands that are beyond
wear. 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.