Recycle Your Sneakers
Send In Your Shoes – Get Paid or Donate
Don't throw away your old shoes... send them to us! We pay you for reusable athletic shoes and recycle the rest so they stay out of landfills.
🌎 Over 5,000 pairs of shoes already kept in motion and out of landfills.
Order a Clean-Out BagHow It Works
1. Order a Clean-Out Bag
Place an order for a Clean-Out Bag. We’ll send instructions.
2. Fill It With Athletic Shoes
Add athletic shoes: running, training, hiking, court, and similar styles. Any condition is welcome.
3. Ship It Back
Follow the instructions in your confirmation email to get your shoes to us.
4. We Grade & Pay You
We grade each pair using the payout tiers below and send your payout via check.
Payout Tiers
Each pair is inspected by our team and placed into one of three condition tiers. We reserve the right to downgrade shoes if condition differs from expectations.
Gently Used – $8 per pair
Our highest payout tier.
- New or like-new condition
- No obvious signs of use
- No noticeable stains, scuffs, or creasing
- Uppers clean and fully intact
Ideal examples: tried-on-only, display models, or returns worn 0–1 times.
Flawed but Usable – $2 per pair
Everyday used shoes with plenty of life left.
- Used, with minor signs of wear
- Light to moderate tread wear
- Minor scuffs or marks are okay
- Integrity of the shoe is fully intact
- No holes, rips, tears, or separated soles
These are your “still totally wearable” shoes that just don’t get much use anymore.
Recycled – $0 payout
Too worn to reuse, but never sent to landfill.
- Heavily used and damaged
- Significant tread wear
- Minor or major holes, rips, or tears
- Sole separation or crumbling midsoles
- Severe staining or heavy damage
We'll send any shoes that need to be recycled to GotSneakers.
What We Accept
✅ Yes, Please
- Running shoes
- Gym & training shoes
- Hiking & trail shoes
- Court / basketball shoes
- Lifestyle sneakers (e.g., Vans, Converse)
- Work / safety sneakers or boots
❌ Not Right for This Program
- Dress shoes and heels
- Fashion-only boots (non-functional)
- Slippers, flip flops, water socks
- Single shoes (must be pairs)
Why Your Shoes Matter
Every pair you send in helps us extend the life of quality footwear, reduce waste, and make athletic shoes more affordable for runners and active people in our community and beyond.
- Keep shoes in motion: We match great shoes with new owners instead of letting them sit in closets.
- Keep shoes out of landfills: Recyclable pairs are responsibly processed whenever possible.
- Support a small business: Your shoes help fuel a local, sustainability-focused business in the Pacific Northwest.
Together, we’ve already saved over 5,000 pairs from the landfill — and we’re just getting started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get paid?
Once your shoes arrive, we grade each pair and total your payout by tier. We will then email you with your total payout and request an address for the check to be sent.
How long does the grading process take?
We typically grade and process your shoes within 2-3 weeks after they arrive. You’ll receive an email with a summary of how many pairs landed in each tier and your final payout amount.
What if my shoes are more worn than I thought?
It happens! If shoes arrive in a different condition than expected, we’ll place them in the appropriate tier. Pairs that are too worn to resell safely will go into the Recycled tier at $0, but they’ll still be kept out of the landfill whenever possible.
Can I just donate my shoes without a payout?
Absolutely. If you’d prefer to donate all pairs, just let us know in a note with your shipment or message, and we’ll skip the payout and ensure your shoes go toward affordable resale or responsible recycling.
Do you accept shipments from outside the U.S.?
At this time, we only support shipments from within the United States.
Ready to Clear Out Your Closet?
Order a Clean-Out Bag, send in your athletic shoes, and help us keep great pairs in motion and out of landfills.
Order a Clean-Out Bag