Nike to refurbish shoe returns

If deemed suitable for reuse, the company will clean and refurbish the shoes before putting them back on sale.

US-based sportswear giant Nike has announced details of an initiative to refurbish pre-worn shoes, in order to reduce its waste footprint. If footwear is returned within a 60-day window and deemed suitable for reuse, the company will clean and refurbish the products by hand, and then give them a condition grade. Customers can scan a QR code on the box to see the footwear’s history and condition. The price charged will be based on footwear type and condition. Shoes that are unable to be refurbished can be ground down for recycling into athletic tracks, indoor basketball courts and flooring for playgrounds. The Nike Refurbished programme is currently available in 15 of its stores across the USA, with plans to expand to more US-based retail locations during 2021.

In addition to this refurbishment programme, Nike aims to reach 29 business targets over the next five years, many of which relate to the environment. These include: waste reduction of 10 per cent within its headquarters, distribution operations, manufacturing sites and packaging plants; 100 per cent of waste diverted from landfill, with at least 80 per cent recycled back into Nike products and other goods; a 25 per cent reduction in freshwater usage when dyeing textiles and finishing; and a 50 per cent representation of women in global corporate workforce and 45 per cent in leadership positions.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 3 of the May 2021 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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