When it comes to old sports gear, we think it’s fair to say that many of us tend to stash the tattiest items at the very back of the wardrobe.

Only ever useful for running in awful weather or when you’ve forgotten to do a bulk load of gym laundry, this ‘back-up’ kit often just hangs around like a literal bad smell until you’re ready to do something proactive about it. Sound familiar? You aren’t alone.

Research has shown that two fifths of runners hoard their old kit ‘just in case’ (62% have kit they never wear sitting at the back of the wardrobe), while 15% tend to just throw it in the bin*. However, with many of us becoming more conscious when it comes to getting rid of old clothes – and avoiding them becoming landfill – thinking about sustainable options when it comes to recycling or repurposing old kit is a step in the right direction.

And this line of thinking can apply to all areas of our running routine, from the brands we buy to the races we enter.

With this in mind, here are five ways you can make your next run more sustainable and planet-friendly…

5 ways to make your next run more sustainable