GPS tracking sting finds Nike destroying returned trainers

OREGON – US sportswear brand Nike is destroying newly returned trainers, according to a team of investigative journalists from Germany. Reporters ordered shoes directly from Nike in Germany, then returned the items – but tracked each return with their own GPS to see how it was handled. They found that the shoes were returned to the recycling centre in Herenthout, Belgium and destroyed there.

The investigation was carried out by ARD, the weekly newspaper ‘Die Zeit’ and the research start-up ‘Flip’ called ‘Sneakerjagd’ (Sneaker Hunting).