Ethan Clarke
With the footwear industry being a significant contributor to the 92 million tons of waste produced annually by the global fashion industry, several brands are now creating shoes made from recycled plastic. These include Adidas, Nike, Allbirds, Thousand Fell, and Vivaia. Adidas, in partnership with Parley for the Oceans, has been a pioneer in creating sneakers made from recycled plastic found on beaches and coastal areas. Each pair of Adidas' Parley shoes reuses 11 plastic bottles, preventing them from entering the ocean. Similarly, Allbirds uses recycled plastic bottles to make its shoes, while Thousand Fell uses plastic bottles, yoga mats, and food waste to create shoes that are also 100% recyclable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brands | Adidas, Nike, Allbirds, Thousand Fell, Vivaia, Dooeys, SUAVS, SAOLA |
| Style | Athletic shoes, sandals, boots, slip-on, sneakers, flats, heels, loafers, mules |
| Materials | Recycled plastic bottles, yarn, polyethene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), cork, organic cotton, natural rubber |
| Environmental Impact | Reduces waste, lowers carbon emissions, reduces ocean plastic pollution, promotes circular economy |
| Other Features | Machine-washable, moisture-wicking, durable, flexible, lightweight, breathable |
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What You'll Learn
Adidas' Parley line
Adidas has been a pioneer in creating sneakers from recycled plastic, intending to reduce ocean waste. In 2015, Adidas and Parley for the Oceans, an organisation dedicated to addressing threats to our oceans, announced their partnership. The two companies unveiled a concept shoe made from reclaimed marine plastic waste at the United Nations in the same year. The Ultra Boost prototype featured an upper made of yarns and filaments reclaimed and recycled from ocean waste and illegal deep-sea gillnets.
Since then, Adidas has launched entire product lines and new collaborations to build a better future for our oceans and planet. Adidas x Parley collaborations, limited-edition products, and sponsorships have engaged a massive global audience. From an ongoing product line created with Stella McCartney to Ocean Plastic® kits for some of the biggest sports teams worldwide, the collaboration has brought the oceans' cause to new audiences. Adidas has also hosted Run for the Oceans, a global movement that took place for the first time on World Oceans Day 2017, to raise awareness for the state of the oceans.
Adidas Parley shoes are made with yarn that contains at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic, reimagined plastic waste intercepted on remote islands, beaches, coastal communities and shorelines. The other 50% of the yarn is recycled polyester. According to Adidas, every pair of shoes made with Parley Ocean Plastic prevents 11 bottles from making their way into the oceans.
Adidas has also been focusing on three core areas: Change Materials, Wear Longer, and Reduce Footprint. In 2021, Adidas launched the Stan Smith Mylo, with uppers partially created with Mylo material, crafted from lab-grown mycelium, the root-like structure of mushrooms. In 2019, Adidas launched FUTURECRAFT.LOOP, the world's first shoe made entirely from one material, so it can be ground down and remade into something new.
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Nike's Flyknit shoes
The Nike Flyknit shoe features a one-piece upper that eliminates the need for multiple material cuts, which are typically required in the construction of a traditional sports shoe. This design significantly reduces waste, contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing process. In 2016, Nike announced its commitment to using recycled polyester for all the core yarn in its Flyknit styles. This decision has had a significant environmental impact, reducing the company's environmental footprint by approximately 3.5 million pounds of waste.
The recycled polyester used in Nike Flyknit shoes is made from reclaimed plastic bottles. These bottles are cleaned, shredded into flakes, converted into pellets, and finally spun into high-quality yarn. This process not only saves raw materials but also reduces energy consumption by an estimated 30% compared to manufacturing virgin polyester. By utilising recycled materials, Nike is helping to divert waste from landfills and waterways, preventing plastic bottles from ending up in the ocean, and reducing carbon emissions.
Nike's commitment to sustainability goes beyond the Flyknit collection. The Space Hippie collection, for example, features shoes with uppers knitted from "space waste yarn," made from 100% recycled materials, including plastic water bottles, t-shirts, and textile scraps. Nike has also introduced Nike Forward, a new material with an average of 75% less carbon than their traditional knit fleece. The brand has implemented operational changes, such as switching to green energy and reducing packaging waste, to further lower its carbon footprint.
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Allbirds' recycled plastic bottle shoes
Allbirds is a company that uses recycled plastic bottles to create comfortable and sustainable shoes for everyday wear. The company also uses castor bean oil for its insoles and soles, recycled cardboard, and merino wool or eucalyptus fibre for its distinctive and beautiful look. Allbirds is also known for its innovative sole design, which it has open-sourced for the industry to use.
Allbirds is part of a growing movement of companies that are creating recycled shoes from plastic waste. This movement aims to reduce the amount of plastic in landfills and oceans, promote a circular economy, and reduce the reliance on virgin plastic. By repurposing plastic waste, these companies are giving it a new life, preventing further harm to the environment, and creating innovative products.
The footwear industry has a large environmental footprint, with 90% of shoes ending up in landfills and contributing to the 92 million tons of waste produced by the global fashion industry each year. Recycled plastic shoes are an attractive option for both industrial and consumer products, with applications in athletic shoes, sandals, boots, and slip-ons.
Allbirds is not alone in its efforts to create sustainable footwear. Adidas, for example, has its Parley line, which features sneakers crafted from plastic collected from beaches and coastal communities. Nike's Flyknit shoes are another example, with their one-piece upper design reducing waste and environmental footprint.
As the demand for sustainable products increases, companies like Allbirds that produce recycled plastic shoes can benefit from higher sales and profitability while also offering consumers an environmentally conscious choice.
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VIVAIA's recycled bottle shoes
VIVAIAs recycled bottle shoes are an excellent choice for eco-conscious consumers who want to look good and protect the planet. The brand uses recycled polyester and a 3D knitting process that eliminates leftover scraps, helping to reduce waste. The uppers of the shoes are made from recycled plastic bottles, using a knit technology that reduces production waste by 30%. This low-waste process ensures that at least six bottles go into each pair of shoes.
VIVAIA's collection of women's shoes made from recycled plastic includes a diverse range of styles such as boots, flats, heels, loafers, mules, sandals, and sneakers. The Margot Square-Toe V-Cut Flats, available in a multitude of colours and prints, are a popular choice for those seeking fashion-forward, eco-friendly footwear. The flats are stretchy, breathable, and easy to slip on, making them perfect for various occasions, from the beach to the office. Additionally, the deodorizing insole, made from the Artemisia Argyi plant and PU foam, ensures your feet stay fresh all day.
VIVAIAs recycled bottle shoes are not just stylish and comfortable but also ethically produced. The shoes are manufactured in a regularly inspected factory in Dongguan, China, that ensures good working conditions for its employees. VIVAIA's manufacturing partner employs renewable energy sources and actively works to reduce its energy consumption. The brand also supports several charities, including SOS Children's Village and the United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF).
VIVAIAs recycled bottle shoes offer a combination of style, comfort, and sustainability. With machine-washable styles, you can extend the lifespan of your shoes and enjoy them for even longer. So, if you're seeking footwear that is kind to the planet and your feet, VIVAIAs recycled bottle shoes are an excellent option to consider.
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Thousand Fell's recycled shoes
The footwear industry is infamous for its use of virgin plastic, with 90% of shoes ending up in landfills. Thousand Fell is a New York-based startup founded in 2018 by Stuart Ahlum and Chloe Songer, two entrepreneurs with a passion for impactful design. The company is on a mission to end textile waste through design innovation and its circular technology.
Thousand Fell's shoes are made from recycled materials (plastic bottles, yoga mats, and food waste) and are 100% recyclable. The shoes are designed to be easily taken apart, with each component having a second life within their supply chain or upcycled into new projects. The company also sources materials with lower energy, water, and carbon footprints, incorporating previously recycled materials and naturally regenerative materials into new products.
The shoes are designed with a natural stain-resistant coating and are water-resistant, with a faux leather upper made from coconut, sugarcane, and palm. The insoles are made from recycled rubber yoga mats, and the laces are made from recycled PET. The shoes are also machine washable, helping consumers hold onto each pair for longer.
Thousand Fell offers a recycling trade-in program where customers can recycle their worn sneakers and earn up to $65 in credit towards their next purchase. The company will either refurbish the returned shoes and donate them or ensure that the raw materials are reused.
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Frequently asked questions
Adidas, in partnership with Parley for the Oceans, makes shoes from recycled plastic found on beaches and in coastal communities. Nike, Allbirds, and Puma also make shoes from recycled plastic.
Adidas's recycled shoes are made with yarn that contains at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic. Each pair of shoes reuses 11 plastic bottles.
Recycled plastic shoes come in a variety of styles, including athletic shoes, sandals, boots, slip-ons, and sneakers.
Recycled plastic shoes help reduce plastic pollution in landfills and oceans. They also reduce the demand for virgin materials and lower carbon emissions.
