Nike Refurbished: How Circularity is fueling the future of sneakers

From Innovation to Impact: Why Refurbishment Fits Nike

Nike has long positioned itself as a brand that pushes the boundaries of innovation — not only in performance but also in sustainability. With its Move to Zero initiative, Nike set out to achieve zero carbon emissions and zero waste across its operations. This commitment reflects the growing understanding that the future of athletic wear must combine high performance with environmental responsibility.

Refurbishment and circularity are natural next steps on this journey. For a company that has built its name on durable, high-quality footwear, keeping products in use longer fits both the brand’s values and the expectations of today’s consumers. Rather than letting returned or slightly imperfect sneakers go to waste, Nike Refurbished offers a way to extend product lifecycles, reduce the need for new manufacturing, and deliver value to customers looking for sustainable choices.

These efforts are directly tied to Nike’s broader climate goals. The brand aims to reach Net-Zero emissions by 2050, with clear intermediate targets like achieving 100% waste diversion from landfills in Tier 1 manufacturing and using 100% renewable electricity across global operations. Circular programs like Refurbished are essential to reaching these milestones — turning innovation into measurable impact for both the business and the planet.

Nike Refurbished: Giving Sneakers a Second Life

Launched in April 2021, Nike Refurbished is part of the company’s broader strategy to pair high performance with sustainability. The program was created to extend the life of returned or slightly imperfect footwear, offering customers high-quality sneakers at a lower price while reducing waste and supporting Nike’s Move to Zero goals.

For customers, Nike Refurbished opens the door to discounts of up to 50% off original retail prices. Popular models — from Nike Dunk “Panda” to Pegasus running shoes — have been available through the program, making premium sneakers more accessible. The program offers not only savings but also the chance to support a circular economy through smarter purchasing.

Every pair that enters Nike Refurbished goes through a detailed process to ensure quality and consistency:

• Collection: Footwear returned within Nike’s 60-day return window is considered for refurbishment.
• Inspection: Each pair is hand-checked by experts to assess condition and restoration needs.
• Cleaning and sanitization: Eligible shoes are thoroughly cleaned, using eco-friendly processes that align with Nike’s environmental standards.
• Grading: Products are categorized based on their condition:
  • Like New: Perfect or near-perfect with no visible flaws
  • Gently Worn: Minimal signs of use, excellent condition
  • Slightly Imperfect: No wear, but minor cosmetic issues such as marks or discoloration

Once refurbished, these sneakers are made available at discounted prices in Nike’s Refurbished sections — first in stores, and for a period online. This careful process helps ensure that customers receive authentic Nike products that meet both performance and sustainability expectations.

Scaling Circularity: Global Expansion and Market Leadership

Nike Refurbished started as a focused effort in 2021 with just 15 participating stores across the United States. In just two years, the program scaled significantly, now operating in 96 locations nationwide. From Nike Factory and Unite stores to Community stores in key cities, the program’s rapid growth reflects both consumer demand and Nike’s commitment to embedding circularity in its core business.

The success in the US set the stage for international expansion. In October 2023, Nike Refurbished entered Europe, bringing the program to eight countries, including Germany. With locations in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Kerpen, and several Nike Factory Stores, Germany represents a strategic market for Nike’s circular ambitions. The program resonates with environmentally conscious consumers and aligns with broader European efforts to promote sustainable fashion and reduce waste.

Through this expansion, Nike positions itself as a clear leader in circular economy practices within the athletic footwear sector. By integrating refurbishment directly into its retail network, Nike demonstrates that circularity isn’t a side project — it’s a scalable, global strategy that combines environmental impact with customer value.

The Customer Experience: Where and How to Buy

Nike Refurbished is designed to make circular shopping simple and accessible. After launching in 2021 with just 15 locations in the US, the program now operates in 96 stores across the United States, including Nike Factory, Unite, and Community stores. Customers can check participating locations easily via Nike’s US Refurbished Store Locator.

In Europe, Nike Refurbished made its debut in October 2023. The program is available in eight countries, including Germany, where customers can find refurbished sneakers in selected stores such as:

• Nike Unite Store Berlin NKL
• Nike Clearance Store Kerpen (near Cologne)
• Nike stores in Hamburg and Munich
• Several Nike Factory Stores across the country

A full list of locations is available on Nike’s Germany Refurbished page.

Pricing is a major draw for customers. Refurbished pairs are offered at up to 50% off the original retail price, depending on the model and condition. This makes it possible for shoppers to access premium Nike sneakers at significantly reduced prices while supporting a more sustainable choice.

Nike briefly brought the program online with a dedicated platform in 2023, offering refurbished sneakers for purchase on the web. Although this online store was paused later that year for review and improvement, Nike has signaled plans to relaunch the digital experience — making it even easier for customers to shop refurbished in the future.

Environmental Impact: What Circular Sneakers Deliver

Nike Refurbished is more than a resale program. It is a key part of Nike’s strategy to reduce waste and cut emissions through smarter use of resources. By extending the life of each pair of sneakers, the program helps lower the need for new manufacturing — a process that accounts for a significant share of Nike’s carbon footprint.

The program directly supports Nike’s Move to Zero goals. Every refurbished pair means fewer new materials, less energy use, and lower emissions. Pairs that can’t be resold aren’t wasted. Instead, they are either donated or processed through Nike Grind, the company’s material recycling initiative that has turned millions of kilograms of sneaker waste into new materials for sport surfaces, products, and apparel.

The scale of the program speaks for itself. In fiscal year 2023 alone, Nike refurbished and resold over 680,000 pairs of sneakers. Combined with broader sustainability efforts, this helped Nike:

• Achieve 100% waste diversion from landfills in Tier 1 manufacturing
• Use 96% renewable electricity across its global operations
• Deliver a 69% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from owned and operated facilities

Nike Refurbished shows that circular design and smart business choices can deliver measurable impact — helping protect the planet while creating real value for customers.

What Other Brands Can Learn

Nike Refurbished offers valuable lessons for any brand looking to build an authentic circular business model. The program shows that success comes from thinking beyond a single initiative and creating a system where design, operations, retail, and customer experience work together to keep products in use longer.

One of the key takeaways is how Nike blends customer value with sustainability. By offering significant price savings alongside environmental benefits, the program makes circularity attractive to a wide range of shoppers — from budget-conscious buyers to those seeking to make more responsible choices.

Nike also demonstrates the importance of retail integration and quality control. Refurbishment is not treated as a separate side business. Instead, it’s embedded into existing store networks, supported by clear grading standards and consistent processes that build customer trust.

Of course, challenges remain. Nike’s journey highlights the need to address supply variability, educate consumers on the benefits of refurbished products, and build a digital experience that meets customer expectations. These are important areas for any brand aiming to follow a similar path.

For businesses exploring circularity, Nike Refurbished provides a model for how sustainability can drive both impact and growth. The next step? Start thinking about where circular solutions could add value in your own product lifecycle and how you can turn that opportunity into a competitive advantage. You can use our circularity check to know where you stand.