A recent TikTok video that went viral showing what appears to be a pile of slashed sneakers at the front of the store has stirred up some drama with Vans. This video by @soso_swag was posted a week ago and has since generated 2.9 million views, and over 300,00 likes. The controversy surrounds the fact that a Vans employee needed to slash the shoes so that no one could wear them, calling out wastefulness and lack of eco-friendliness.
Dime x Vans Wayvee Egret Complex.
A Vans spokesperson explains that the sneakers were infested with mold and, therefore, could not be donated and had to be trashed, stating, "The products were deemed unsafe to donate due to organic growth caused by external and environmental factors."
The spokesperson then goes on to say, "Vans will always prioritize the donation of usable products to those in need. After investigating the situation at our Walnut St. location, we have sans that these products were deemed unsafe to donate. That said, we are actively revisiting our retail protocols to ensure that products are properly recycled."
It appears that Vans has put out the fire to this situation, with many people in the TikTok comments adding Vans' recent response to the current situation.
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Photos via TikTok