Those Kicks Aren't Done Kicking - Reuse Those Shoes!

Closet organizers, de-clutter coaches and even fashionistas recommend that the best wardrobes are well-kept ones – ones which find room for new items by getting rid of ones that have overstayed their welcome. New item in; old item out.

Goodwill and the Salvation Army are always options for your someday-vintage goods. But some thrift stores are a little weird about accepting shoes. And frankly, I feel a little strange about handing over my old sneakers for resale.

Luckily, these programs have nooo problem dealing with your stinky kicks:

Nike’s Reuse a Shoe program takes your old trainers and turns them into what they call Nike Grind, which they turn into playground and court surfaces.

Soles4Shoes will take any of your “gently worn” shoes and get them to folks that need them – around the world and even closer to home. Inner City Hospitals, Domestic Abuse Shelters, and Homeless Shelters are just a few places that Soles4Shoes delivers much needed shoes.

Shoe4Africa.org asks that you send your slightly used running shoes directly to Africa since they are currently unable to bear the costs of shipping donations in bulk, but

RecycledRunners.com lists several regional runners groups that have instituted shoe donation programs.

Click on any of those links for donation points near you. Or, if you can’t resist hitting that “buy now” button, you can go to TOMS Shoes – for every pair you purchase, they will donate a pair to a child in need.