Each year over 33 million pairs of running shoes are discarded into landfills, despite many still having plenty of life left in them.
Whilst this may cast your well-loved sneakers out of sight, their environmental impact is still prevalent.
But what if we told you there’s a way to do some good with your pre–loved trainers?
Here at Gola, we’ve partnered with JogOn and EVRI to help reduce the global impact of your well-loved trainers. Read on for everything you need to know to get involved, including how to recycle trainers and the benefits of doing so.
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About JOGON
Led by founder and CEO Tony Piedade, JogOn is a small but mighty team brimming with passion and ambition. The aim is to keep trainers out of landfills and provide pre-loved running shoes with a second chance at life.
Over 18 billion shoes are purchased annually, with 33 million estimated to end up in landfills. However, most of these are in good enough condition to be worn again or safely recycled into brand-new products.
JogOn aims to improve the process of how shoes are discarded at the end of their life and deliver unwanted trainers to people who need them most. With this in mind, the team helps put these trainers to good causes, from collecting and inspecting used trainers to distributing them to various hubs around the world.
To date, JogOn has kept 1 million pairs of trainers out of landfills!
Recycling running shoes: Why is it important?
Running shoes are one of the most popular footwear styles, whether worn for fashion or to aid sports performance.
With this in mind, JogOn’s project to help reduce the impact of running shoes at their life’s end is essential. Below, we’ve covered the top three reasons why.
Reduce landfill waste
Running shoes are one of the most popular footwear styles and one of the biggest contributors to UK landfills. With this in mind, recycling running shoes reduces landfill waste and helps reduce pollution.
Reduce energy consumption
Using recycled fabrics and materials uses much less energy than collecting new, raw materials from the environment. For example, manufacturers can source natural materials like rubber from recycled running shoes, preventing the need to disrupt natural habits often damaged or destroyed by the sourcing process.
Help others
JogOn distributes shoes to charities, non-profit organisations and groups from developing nations worldwide, so by recycling your running shoes, you are also helping to provide for those in need.
How to recycle trainers with Gola & JogOn
Every pair of recycled sneakers makes a difference and getting involved couldn’t be easier.
Simply tie your trainers together by the laces and package them securely in a bag or box. Then head to our shipping partner, EVRI, for a prepaid postage label and drop them off at your closest drop-off point. That’s it!
Whether you’re due a shoe sort-out or have a pair hiding in your car boot, recycle your trainers and make a difference today with JogOn and Gola!
