Hello! Happy Friday!! You may have already heard about recycling your running shoes (do it) but I recently got some info on how to recycle used GU packets and wanted to share.
But first…
In running and eating blog news… my salad, french fries and chocolate diet continues. No big. I love it.
Southern California is in a major drought so I’m becoming a hippie (kinda sorta in a way) and trying to help do my part.
Part of this probably comes from the guilt that my excessive water drinking has single handedly caused said drought. Busted.
I already recycle my clothes by wearing them over and over and over, but this is even better!
If you’re an endurance athlete who is passionate about reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices, this partnership between GU Energy and TerraCycle can make a big difference. Instead of throwing away single-serve packaging after every training session or race, you can now send them to TerraCycle and contribute to a more circular economy. Plus, with the option to donate your recycling points to a good cause, you’re not only reducing waste but also supporting important organizations in your community. And if you need help disposing of any other waste, consider looking into Neenah dumpster rentals for a convenient and responsible solution. For businesses that generate a lot of waste, hiring an expert dumpster cleaning service is a practical solution.
People interested in the Performance Nutrition Brigade® sponsored by GU can sign up for free at www.terracycle.com.
Recycling Running Shoes Options:
– Local Running Shoe stores (saw one at RoadRunner this week)
– Race Expos
– Race day collections
– Online info:
Nike Reuse-a-Shoe takes all brands of sneakers that are beyond “gently worn” and turns them into a recycled product known as Nike Grind, which is used to make tracks, indoor basketball courts, fields with MUGA, and playgrounds.
I’ve never formally recycled running shoes…but this is probably because I wear them for other purposes until they are no longer useable (holes in them, no tread, barely a sole left). I use old running shoes for a running group I’m in called Hash House Harriers and we run through mud, slog, swamp, you name it, we go through it. I’m guessing no one wants to wear them after that.
This is so good to know!! Hopefully they will start collecting the packs at races too. Thanks for sharing!!
I have recycled shoes after running the Dirty Dash. But I did NOT wear my running shoes.
I drop our used shoes off to our local running store (Dick Pond Athletics)
We recently repurposed our old tv stand and turned it into a parking garage for Mr. 7s hot wheel cars.
The running store I worked at/run with does shoe donations. We’ve sent them to the Philippines, local charities, back to the companies so they can melt them down or whatever.
Recycling gu’s!! Oh my gosh I am SO excited about that!! I never even thought about how much I go through those… oh man can you imagine at marathons?? You could end up donating soooo much to charity!! (If any of you readers do it, I work for a non-profit called Skid Row Housing Trust in Los Angeles….. we will take any and all donations hahaha)
My gym has a bin to recycle gym shoes the whole month of April. I’ve recycled shoes at running stores in the past!
Random question, how do you make the chicken that is in that salad? It looks delicious!
This one is just a frozen chicken breast I microwaved. I usually bake a bunch at the beginning of the week but I got lazy.
I love the recycling Gu packets idea, I have tons of empties in my CamelBak or pockets of running clothes that I can probably dig out and send in.
I’ve recycled shoes at race expos, though I still have way too many pairs at home that I for some reason think I will use again even though they have like a bajillion miles on them and are unusable.
I really like this post – I am a total recycling freak. Luckily in SF we have a Recology program and they will come and pick up all kinds of things to recycle for free!! I bring my old shoes to the Nike store sometimes as well, and ALL my plastic bags get recycled at Trader Joes. Here’s to doing out part!
xx Jill
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I use TerraCycle all the time to send empties of things that I can’t buy in bulk or make myself. However, it’s misleading to use the term recycle when Terracycle (& Nike) actually downcycle.
Still, it’s nice to have an alternative to keep all our first-world shtuff out of landfills and out of the gyres. I wasn’t aware they’ve added a Gu campaign!
I usually donate my old shoes. It’s so silly to toss them, since they’re still perfectly wearable, just past their prime time for running in!
I always donate my used running shoes! I forget the name of the organization but they have a bin at my local running store!!
I was the oldest so I didn’t get a lot of hand me downs. I did wear a bunch of my mom’s old clothes though?? I guess I thought it was cool or vintage. So that was by choice.
Awesome news about the GU–thanks for sharing!
Awesome ideas!!
That is so interesting about using old shoes to make tracks and such! I have multiple pairs that are worn out I would never even think of giving them to Goodwill because there is no way anyone else could wear them, but I love the idea of Nike Grind!
Oooh, I have multiple pairs of sneakers that need to be recycled… but even though they’re too work through to run and I have no further use for them, I’m having trouble letting go. MEMORIES!!!
Nice! I will have to start recycling my gel packets!
I have sent shoes into Soles 4 Souls before when the shoes are still in really good shape but I can’t run in them anymore. There are so many great options for used shoes!