Nike will now clean and resell used sneakers at discount prices in 15 US stores

• Nike said it would clean and resell sneakers returned by customers in 15 stores in the US.
• Nike Refurbished will sell shoes returned within 60 days of purchase. Customers can buy them at a discount.
• Nike said it wanted to stop shoes ending up in a landfill.

Nike has launched a new program to clean and resell sneakers that have been used and returned by customers.

The athletics-wear giant announced Monday that "Nike Refurbished" would see "gently" or hardly worn shoes, or shoes returned with cosmetic flaws, cleaned and sold again at discounted prices. The shoes must have been returned within the company's 60-day returns period to be resold.

In a press release announcing the news on Monday, the company did not say what would have previously happened when these sneakers were returned. Insider asked the company for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

The refurbished shoes will now be sold at its factory and outlet stores. This initiative is currently available at 15 US stores, but the company said it planned to add Nike Refurbished to more stores, to boost its sustainability and reduce waste.

While it promises to "help keep shoes out of landfills," the new service also means Nike can stop some of its products reaching booming sneaker resale platforms such as StockX or GOAT.