The Run and Recycle project was funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme. It ran from November 2023 to April 2025, with a total budget of EUR 60 000, fully supported by the EU. The project was coordinated by SPORTEN KLUB DARKO TIM (Bulgaria) and implemented in partnership with organisations from Finland and Croatia. Run and Recycle aimed to address the environmental challenges linked to fast fashion and increasing textile waste by combining grassroots sport with environmental awareness‑raising. Focusing on running as an accessible and inclusive activity, the project sought to educate athletes and local communities about textile waste management and to promote the recycling and responsible use of sports clothing and footwear. 

A central focus of Run and Recycle was the use of sport‑based activities to promote sustainable behaviour and practical action on textile waste reduction.  

Key achievements of the project include:

• Organisation of eco‑friendly running events and workshops: delivery of more than twelve national eco‑friendly running events and educational workshops across Bulgaria, Finland and Croatia, engaging athletes, children, families and local communities in physical activity combined with textile collection and environmental education.
• Transnational cooperation and project coordination: organisation of three transnational project meetings in Sofia, Helsinki and Rijeka, supporting coordination, experience sharing and quality implementation among partners.
• Development of a Common Training Manual: preparation of a practical training manual providing guidance for sports clubs and organisations on how to plan and implement environmentally sustainable sports events and promote textile recycling practices.
• Creation of communication and dissemination tools: development of a dedicated project website and implementation of a communication campaign using social media, visual branding and dedicated hashtags (e.g. #runandrecycle) to increase visibility and outreach at local and European level.
• Establishment of a sports clubs network: creation of a network of 50 sports organisations committed to environmentally responsible practices and textile recycling in sport.
• Community engagement and impact: direct involvement of more than 2 000 participants and collection of significant quantities of used sportswear and footwear, to reduce waste and increase awareness of the environmental impacts of fast fashion. 

Run and Recycle aimed at contributing to EU objectives on sustainability, circular economy and environmental awareness by addressing textile waste through education, community engagement and practical action. By linking sport with environmental responsibility, the project supported behaviour change at the local level and promoted more conscious consumption and disposal of textiles. The focus on recycling sports clothing and footwear aligns with broader EU efforts to reduce waste, limit pollution and encourage reuse and circular material flows, in line with the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. The project also supported social inclusion and active lifestyles, demonstrating how grassroots sport can act as an effective vehicle for promoting sustainability and community‑driven environmental action.

Run and Recycle was implemented through close collaboration between sports organisations from Bulgaria, Finland and Croatia, combining expertise in grassroots sport, community engagement and environmental education. Knowledge exchange was facilitated through transnational meetings, joint development of the training manual and shared dissemination activities. The project’s results were communicated to a wider audience through workshops, public events, digital tools and the project website, aiming to share lessons learned and to keep practical resources accessible beyond the project’s lifetime.