Some of us at The Treehouse are runners. We love the feeling of freedom it gives us and just heading out into the fresh air. We’re not sure you need all the “stuff” they claim you need for running but we do think that a decent pair of trainers are essential. This has got us thinking about the life-cycle of our trainers and a bit of research has led to some worrying discoveries.

Did you know that to make one pair of trainers uses enough energy to keep a 100-Watt lightbulb on for a week? The average trainer can have 65 separate parts and needs 360 steps for assembly. That’s a lot of effort for something we are told only lasts 6 – 12 months!

We hate to think of our old trainers living out the next millennia on a landfill site – as that’s how long they take to break down.

So how can we start to make this better?
Reduce/Refuse. Do you really need new trainers? Ask yourself this, are they still comfortable and is the sole still intact? We are often told that running trainers only have a “life” of 500miles. However, research now tells us that trainers have very little effect on injury prevention and if still comfortable and with an intact sole, we shouldn’t be too hasty to replace. Some big brand companies (for example innov-8 and On-running) are now using materials designed to last longer, so fewer new shoes need to be made (and sold).

But, OK, you need a new pair of runners, so where to start looking for the green(er) option? The good news is that you don’t need to spend hours looking for niche companies that compromise on running quality. We should always be aware of “Greenwashing” (the idea that big companies put on a front that they are green – but behind the scenes maintain bad eco-behaviours). Some big brand names are beginning to step up to the green agenda and promoting ranges of top quality performance trainers with improved eco credentials – see companies like, Brooks, Adidas, Vivobarefoot and Allbirds.

But what to do with those trainers that are worn beyond repair?
Recycle. Some local organisations will re-distribute your beloved old (intact) trainers to people in the community who are homeless or without the resources to buy new.  Nick from Running Bear in Alderley Edge is an ambassador for projects like this and Gary from Macc Harriers organises frequent drop offs from the leisure centre.  We’ve also learnt about the Savage Foundation (partnered with Macclesfield FC) who have a similar scheme running for used football boots to kit out kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.

If your trainers have been loved to breaking point, landfill can still be avoided by finding a shoe recycle bin. From here trainers are broken down into raw materials to repurpose or put back into manufacture (Shoe bin’s outside the Chemist and Grimshaw Lane Corner Shop in Bollington). Also, well-known high street brands (Nike and Runners Need) will take your old, smelly trainers and recycle them, with a cash incentive for you - look for #recyclemyrun.

Reuse. If you just can’t bear to part with your old foot friends, why not use them for something else? Gardening shoes, a handy door wedge, create a trainer herb garden, a birdhouse.... Trainers don't have to end up in landfill, let your imagination run wild.