Celebrate Sustainability & Save!
John’s Run/Walk Shop is proud to announce that more than 75% of the products sold through our store are now part of a closed-loop system—a major advancement in retail sustainability.
To celebrate this milestone, John’s is hosting a Closed Loop Weekend, July 18 to 20 at both Lexington locations (Chevy Chase and Palomar Centre). The weekend will feature collection drives and exclusive discounts for customers who bring back recyclable products:
Bring in shoes → Get 10% off new shoes
Bring in insoles → Get 10% off new insoles
Bring in running apparel → Get 15% off new apparel
End-of-life products returned throughout the weekend will be weighed and tracked to measure how many items stay within the local community and how many are recycled, part of John’s commitment to transparency and impact.
What Happens to Returned End-of-Life Products?
Returned shoes are first inspected to see if they can be reused. Gently worn pairs stay local, distributed through existing partner organizations like Lighthouse Ministries and The Hope Center, where they’re given directly to people who need them.
Shoes that can’t be reused locally are sent to Sneaker Impact, which refurbishes eligible pairs for resale through small merchants in developing countries. Unusable shoes are ground into materials—rubber, foam, and textiles—which are then reintroduced into the manufacturing supply chain.
Responsible Returns
Use First, Then Re‑Use or Recycle
John’s Run/Walk Shop encourages customers to wear and enjoy their gear for its full useful life before returning it. Extending the life of a product is the single most effective way to lower its environmental footprint, and it ensures that any shoes, insoles, or apparel we collect still have the highest
potential for second‑life value—whether that’s on a new pair of feet in our community, refurbishment overseas, or material recovery for future products.
When you do decide an item is truly at the end of its run, please follow these guidelines:
Shoes & Insoles : Retire them only when they’re no longer part of your regular rotation.
Running Apparel & Socks : All textile items must be freshly laundered and free of excessive wear, stains, or odors.
General Condition: If it isn’t clean, dry, and safe to handle, we can’t accept it.
By returning clean, end‑of‑life products, you help us keep quality items in circulation longer and ensure that recyclable materials stay uncontaminated, maximizing the positive impact of our closed‑loop system.
Call for Community Partnerships
John’s is also calling on local shelters, schools, and organizations that serve people in need to reach out and explore a partnership. If your organization could benefit from footwear donations, email info@johnsrunwalkshop.com to get connected.