what do you do with worn out running shoes

find a charity that collects shoes - chances are although you don't want to run in them, they are still in good enough shape that someone can get use out of them.

try tom's shoes to start maybe?  i donated a pair at a mud run i did in the spring but can't remember the name of the organization that collected them.

or just toss em.

I had amassed over a dozen pairs over the years. I looked ito some of those national organizations that collect shoes for third world countries; most of those required shipping to get your shoes there. In the end I just donated them to the local homeless shelter where they were greatly appreciated. Think globally, act locally, I guess.

find a homeless person that looks about your shoe size and hook em up.

that or donate it to your local homeless shelter.  Homeless people spend a lot of time on their feet.

This article may give you a few ideas
 
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-323--10041-0,00.html

My local running shop takes the shoes in, refinishes/cleans what they can, then donates them to local charities. Or - just give 'em straight to the homeless shelter. Either way they will be appreciated.

This is what I do. They do the recycling.

Also, often at race expos - usually running races-  there will be bins for donating your shoes. Either to be recycled or sent to the less fortunate.

http://www.soles4souls.org/

Nike's Reuse-a-shoe program. 

My company has drop off boxes to collect old shoes.  Some of them are being ground up and recycled into filling materials to build paygrounds, repave multi-purpose trails etc. 

x2. x2 on solesforsouls, too.

running > general everyday > mowing lawns, walking in dirt > rubbish bin

that's a shoes general life when I get them

http://shoe4africa.org/

Edited by EleK 2009-07-21 10:38 AM

Shoes for running last about 2-3 months

Shoes retired from running to general use last about 2-3 years. Only so many pairs you need for general use at any given time, which gives you about 10-12 pairs every three years to dispose of.