Frequently Asked Questions
Every year,over 44 million pounds of shoes are discarded globally, with nearly 90-95% ending up in landfills or being incinerated, releasing harmful substances into the soil and environment.
Zero Footmarks, a sustainability initiative by VKC, is one of India’s first steps toward solving this problem-transforming a simple everyday action into meaningful impact.
Customers can return old footwear of any brand, model, size, condition, even mismatched or single pairs; when purchasing a new pair, at no additional cost beyond the price of the new footwear. These are then collected, sorted, and recycled or responsibly disposed of through verified partners.
More than just a program, Zero Footmarks is a movement that promotes conscious consumption, reduces landfill waste, and supports a circular economy, helping you make every step count toward a cleaner, greener future.
Footwear waste is a growing environmental concern, with most discarded shoes ending up in landfills or being incinerated, causing long-term harm to the environment.
Recognizing this, VKC launched Zero Footmarks to take responsibility beyond manufacturing by addressing what happens after footwear is used.
The initiative aims to reduce waste, promote a circular economy, and encourage conscious consumption making sustainability simple and accessible at no additional cost to customers.
Yes, Zero Footmarks is India’s first structured take-back and recycling program offering both online and offline purchase and take back .This makes it easy for customers to return used footwear, which is then responsibly recycled or disposed of through verified partners, making sustainable choices simple and accessible.
For knowing more about the offline store locations, visit Store Locator in our website
- Reduces non-biodegradable landfill waste
- Encourages recycling habits for adults and children
- Promotes circular economy principles
- Ensures ethical and verified handling of used materials
- Creates measurable social and environmental impact
VKC is committed to long-term sustainability by adopting more responsible practices across its products and initiatives. Through Zero Footmarks, it helps reduce footwear waste by enabling recycling and responsible disposal - making sustainable choices easier for customers.
- Order your new VKC footwear from the Zero Footmarks online store
- When your new pair arrives, hand over your old footwear to the delivery partner.
- The collected footwear is then handed over to authorized sustainable waste management partners associated with VKC.
- It is sorted, and components that can be reused are recycled, while the rest is responsibly disposed of.
- Visit a participating VKC store Visit a participating VKC store (you can find your nearest store using our Store Locator).
- Return your old pair of footwear of any brand, any condition, even single or mismatched pairs to the store staff while purchasing a new one.
- The store processes your returned footwear into the recycling stream.
- It is then handled by VKC’s authorized sustainability partners for further processing, including recycling or responsible disposal.
Yes, Zero Footmarks is designed as a take-back program, so returning your old footwear is a part of the process. By doing so, you can avail exclusive discounts and offers, while also helping reduce waste and support a more sustainable, circular approach.
Your footwear does not need to be perfectly clean. However, footwear in extremely poor or unhygienic condition may not be accepted.
No, Packaging or documents are not required. You can return your old footwear regardless of brand, packaging, or purchase details, making the process simple and hassle-free.
Currently, the return is limited to one old pair of footwear per purchase under the Zero Footmarks program. However, customers can purchase multiple footwear items at once or repeatedly and return an equivalent number of used pairs accordingly.
Not at present. Returns are tied to the purchase of a new pair.
You can return almost all types:
- Any brand
- Any model
- Mismatched pairs
- Kids' footwear
- Sports shoes
- Worn-out or damaged footwear
Yes, we accept footwear in any condition, including damaged, worn-out, mismatched, or single pieces. This helps ensure that more footwear is diverted from landfills and handled responsibly, while making it easy for everyone to participate in the initiative without any restrictions.
Yes, you can. You can return any type of footwear - kids’ or adults’, any brand, model, or size, even mismatched, worn-out, or damaged pairs are accepted when purchasing a new pair under the Zero Footmarks initiative.
Zero Footmarks accepts most types of old footwear, regardless of brand, model, size, or condition even single or mismatched pairs. However, footwear that is extremely soiled, soaked, excessively smelly, heavily contaminated, or unsafe to handle may not be eligible for return, to ensure safe and responsible processing.
You will receive 05%–50% discounts, depending on:
- Store or city
- Campaign period
- Product category
- Online or in-store promotions
Not necessarily, Offers may vary between online and in-store purchases, depending on the campaign and location.
We recommend checking the latest offers on the website or at your nearest store to find what’s available for you.
Unlimited, You can enjoy the benefits of Zero Footmarks as many times as you like. Each purchase allows you to return used footwear and enjoy the associated benefits, making it easy to contribute regularly toward a more sustainable future.
Zero Footmarks is available across India for online orders,
For in-store purchase, the program is currently active at 52 selected retail stores across Kerala and Puducherry, and is gradually expanding to more locations across India.
At Zero Footmarks, our program is designed as a take-back and recycling initiative, so returns are handled differently from regular purchases.
- Once your order is shipped and your old footwear is collected, it may already be processed for recycling. For this reason, refunds are currently not available.
- We offer size and product exchanges, which can be requested within 7 days of delivery.
- Cash on Delivery (COD) is currently not available for Zero Footmarks orders.
We recommend reviewing the detailed exchange guidelines on our website or reaching out to our support team for any assistance - we’re always happy to help.
- Orders may be cancelled within 24 hours if not shipped
- Once shipped, cancellations are not possible
- Product and size exchanges are allowed up to two times
Yes, exchanges are available for footwear purchased under the Zero Footmarks program, with up to two exchanges allowed per order.
You can request a size or product exchange within 7 days of delivery. You may choose a product of the same or higher value by paying the difference, and exchanges are also supported for size issues or damaged/defective products.
Please note that refunds are not available under the program.
Returns are currently not available under the Zero Footmarks program, as it is designed as a take-back and recycling initiative. Once your old footwear is collected, it may already be processed for recycling, making returns not feasible.
However, you can opt for a size or product exchange within 7 days of delivery to ensure the right fit or choice.
You can request an exchange within 7 days of delivery. We recommend initiating your request within this timeframe to ensure a smooth and timely exchange process.
Yes, you can exchange your product for another product of the same or higher value available on the website. If the selected item is priced higher, you can simply pay the difference.
For online purchases, the standard exchange policy applies, you can request a size or product exchange within 7 days of delivery.
For in-store purchases, exchange availability may vary depending on the retailer. We recommend contacting your nearest store for specific details.
You can find Zero Footmarks collection stores using the Store Locator available on our website.
The program is currently active at selected VKC stores across Kerala and Puducherry, and new locations are being added as the initiative continues to expand across India.
Yes, new Zero Footmarks collection stores are continuously being added. The program is currently active in selected locations and is steadily expanding to reach more cities and customers across India.
Discounts may vary between online and in-store purchases, depending on the ongoing campaign and location.
You can reach out to our customer support team for any questions or assistance.
Customer Support
📧 Email: ccare@vkcgroup.com
📞 Phone: +91 86060 22000
Yes, you can easily track your order and stay updated on its status. Once your order is placed, you will receive updates, and you can also use our Order Tracking link along with the AWB Number you received while the order gets confirmed to check the latest status of your delivery at any time.
Currently, under Zero Footmarks, you can choose from the following brands:
- VKC Pride
- VKC Debon
- Debongo
- Ezhigo You can explore these collections on our website to find the style and comfort that suits you best.
Currently, Zero Footmarks orders are available only within India. We’re working toward expanding our reach in the future, so stay tuned for updates.
All products go through quality checks before dispatch. In the rare case you receive a damaged item, If you receive a damaged or defective item, you can request an exchange within 7 days of delivery.
Simply reach out to our support team with your order details and product photos, and we’ll assist you with a smooth exchange process.