Categories: Recycle

Where Can I Recycle Old Race Medals?

Since we have a debate going on in our “Broad Street Run More Sustainable…” comments AND on our Facebook page, I decided to investigate what people can do with their old race medals.

Many runners & triathletes etc. accumulate medals and don’t know what to do with them. Here’s some alternatives to throwing them in the trash (always a big no-no):

  • Cut a craft magnet sheet & make your own medal magnets
  • Or mount them on a plain coaster to make an interesting coffee table set (Here’s a few other ways to DIY drink coasters).
  • Medals 4 Mettle accepts donations of previous race medals and give them to terminally ill & severely disabled individuals.  The coolest part? You can tell a ‘story’ when you donate your hard-earned medal – where it came from and any personal challenges to encourage those in worse shape.  One of the site donors quoted on the site: “The first time I completed a marathon I cried – it had been such a struggle and the accomplishment meant so much to me. But that’s nothing compared to the struggle of patients fighting against illness. I’m honored to donate my most recent medal to an individual through Medals for Mettle.”  Medals 4 Mettle even has a Philadelphia chapter (Contact: Sharan Kaur, M4M Philadelphia, sharan.kaur@medals4mettle.org)

(I couldn’t find any recycling medal programs but will continue to search.)

Can’t part with your hard-earned medal? Display a few of your favorites on a wall/case and donate the rest!

Readers, what creative things have you done with old medals?

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

How Louis Bartholomew supports greening efforts in Queen Village

Read about how our latest Civic Catalyst advocates for and supports greening efforts in Queen…

17 hours ago

Climate action updates, EPA deregulation, new gardens, & more

Check out the latest sustainability news: Office of Sustainability releases 2025 Climate Action Update. OSS…

6 days ago

A bird-a-thon without birdwatching? For blind birders, it’s all about sound

From Malvern to Massachusetts, the first blind birding event showed accessibility in action. Chester County…

7 days ago

How Fishtown neighbors organized for a pedestrian safety win

More than 500 residents advocated for change, leading to 40% longer crosswalk times on Girard…

1 week ago

Protecting community gardens, PA’s green energy package & more

Check out the latest sustainability news: City Council votes to protect one of the city’s…

2 weeks ago

Mayor Parker’s $2 Billion H.O.M.E. plan to tackle housing & climate change

Here’s how the city plans to retrofit the aging housing stock and support existing repair…

2 weeks ago