To continue providing a 100% FREE sneaker recycling program and execute on our long-term sustainability objectives, it is necessary to enforce strict style, condition, measurement, and brand guidelines on qualifying footwear. Our published sneaker guidelines provide our recycling partners with a detailed description of the style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria. It is imperative that ALL new and active sneaker recycling partners carefully read our sneaker guidelines to set proper compensation expectations. We understand sorting and grading used footwear is a highly subjective process and can lead to varying interpretations of quality and value. Our team is constantly evaluating ways to create more transparency and communicate our qualification criteria as effectively as possible. We strongly encourage all new and active sneaker recycling partners to carefully read our published sneaker guidelines to set proper compensation expectations.
In addition to seeking high quality branded athletic sneakers to recirculate in secondhand markets, GotSneakers accepts moderately and heavily used athletic sneakers that might not have any life remaining in them. Our published sneaker guidelines details the type of athletic footwear that is acceptable for both resale and end-of-life recycling. We have worked with a multitude of vendors to responsibly recycle end-of-life footwear on an as needed basis. We have tested programs such as grinding sneakers to reuse materials like rubber, foam, and textile, incinerating MSW to convert waste into electricity, upcycling materials into new reusable products, as well as other recycling programs. As the industry leader in sneaker resale and recycling, we are constantly searching for alternative recycling solutions for end-of-life footwear and remain open to all ideas and efforts to ensure sustainability within our industry.
We DO NOT accept non-athletic footwear. Please DO NOT ship non-athletic footwear such as dress shoes, heels, sandals, wedges, rain boots, water socks, and any other non-athletic styles. If you have non-athletic footwear that you would like to recycle, we recommend finding a local charity, homeless shelter, or other organization that will accept non-athletic footwear.
All sneakers are required to meet specific brand guidelines to qualify for both the EXCELLENT and GOOD compensation levels. Currently, the following brands qualify for the EXCELLENT and GOOD categories: Adidas, Allbirds, Altra, APL, Asics, Brooks, Columbia, Converse All-Stars, Fila, Hoka One One, Jordan, Keen, Merrell, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike, On, Puma, Reebok, Salomon, SAS, Saucony, Skechers, Sorel, Timberland, Topo, Under Armour, Vans. Please carefully review our sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.
In addition to accepting high quality branded athletic sneakers, GotSneakers does accept Converse All-Stars and Vans canvas shoes. These are the ONLY two (2) canvas brands that we consider athletic styles and qualify for compensation. Please carefully review our published sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.
Yes, we accept sneakers that are missing laces. However, all sneakers that are missing laces will be disqualified from the EXCELLENT category and will default to the GOOD category even if they are in Excellent condition. Please carefully review our published sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.
Yes, we accept sneakers that are missing insoles. However, all sneakers that are missing insoles will be disqualified from the EXCELLENT category and will default to the GOOD category even if they are in Excellent condition. Please carefully review our published sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.
Yes, we do accept athletic cleats. However, we ONLY accept cleats with rubber and/or plastic bottoms. We do NOT accept metal cleats. All metal cleats will be categorized as non-athletic shoes and will NOT qualify for compensation. Currently, we accept rubber baseball, soccer, football, golf, and lacrosse sports cleats. Please carefully review our published sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.
Yes, we do accept kids sneakers. However, we enforce strict measurement guidelines in order to qualify for compensation. Please carefully review our published sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.
The maximum value that can be earned from a single pair of sneakers is $7.00. The sneaker MUST be in New or Like New condition to meet our EXCELLENT criteria. “Shopworn” soles are acceptable, but the sneaker should NOT have any other signs of use to qualify for the EXCELLENT category. Please carefully review our published sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.
While we do not require our partners to secure their sneakers together with rubber bands or tie straps, we do strongly recommend tying your sneakers together with the laces to keep the pair intact. If you cannot or do not choose to tie your sneakers together, it is imperative that you place the pair together within the same bag prior to shipping to us. If sneakers are not paired together within the same bag, then our sort team will be unable to locate the pair and we will not be able to compensate you. ALL single sneakers not paired together in the same bag will be categorized as non-paired singles and will not be eligible for compensation. Please carefully review our published sneaker guidelines for more details about our style, condition, measurement, and brand criteria to set proper compensation expectations.