Maya Ellison
With an estimated 90% of shoes ending up in landfills, the environmental footprint of the footwear industry is massive. However, several brands are now manufacturing shoes made from recycled plastic waste, helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste on the planet. These shoes are not only environmentally friendly but also stylish, durable, and comfortable. Some brands that make shoes from recycled plastic bottles include Thousand Fell, VIVAIA, and SAOLA. Rothy's also makes shoes from recycled materials, although it is unclear if they use recycled plastic specifically. Viscata makes shoes from plastic waste recovered from the Spanish Mediterranean Sea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Thousand Fell, VIVAIA, SAOLA, Sanuk, Viscata |
| Materials Used | Recycled plastic bottles, yoga mats, food waste, palm fiber, sugarcane, coconut husk food waste, natural rubber, recycled rubber, rice husks, hemp, faux fur, natural latex, rubber outsoles, organic cotton, cork, rPET, rEVA |
| Manufacturing | Low-waste manufacturing process, knit technology, dope dyeing, knit construction |
| Environmental Impact | 30% reduction in production waste, 55-65% less energy usage, 85-95% less water usage, 60-70% less CO2 usage, reduced chemical runoff, reduced carbon emissions |
| Other Features | Machine-washable, foldable, deodorizing insoles, durable, repairable, recyclable, comfortable, breathable, lightweight, flexible |
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What You'll Learn
- Thousand Fell: Vegan, zero-waste, and durable shoes made from recycled plastic bottles
- VIVAIA: Flats, heels, boots, and sneakers made from six plastic bottles
- SAOLA: Recycled PET (rPET) shoes with comfortable and durable knit construction
- Sanuk: Sustainable and stylish shoes made from recycled plastic bottles and fabric
- Rothy's: Machine-washable shoes made from single-use plastic
Thousand Fell: Vegan, zero-waste, and durable shoes made from recycled plastic bottles
Thousand Fell is an innovative footwear brand that creates vegan, zero-waste, and durable shoes made from recycled plastic bottles and other sustainable materials. The company is on a mission to end textile waste through design innovation and circular technology, offering stylish and comfortable sneakers that are good for both your feet and the planet.
The Thousand Fell Comfort System guarantees that their sneakers will keep you comfortably on your feet all day. Each pair is designed to provide stability, support, and breathability, incorporating natural and recycled materials to reduce their environmental impact. The uppers are made from rPET and corn waste resin, while the outsoles are crafted from sustainably sourced Amazonian rubber, enhancing durability and responsible sourcing.
In addition to recycled plastic bottles, Thousand Fell utilizes various innovative materials in their shoes. These include vegan bio-leather with recycled backing, providing a seamless break-in and a sophisticated look. They also incorporate food waste, such as locally sourced sugarcane and coconut husk fibers from Brazil, which enhance comfort and flexibility while reducing reliance on traditional plastic components.
Thousand Fell's commitment to sustainability extends beyond their materials. They offer a recycling program where customers can return their worn sneakers and receive a $20 credit to use on new Thousand Fell products. This encourages recycling participation and ensures that their shoes are built to be recycled, with each pair designed to weather any environment and withstand everyday wear and tear.
Thousand Fell's vegan, zero-waste sneakers are a testament to their dedication to creating stylish, comfortable, and sustainable footwear. By using recycled plastic bottles and other innovative materials, they offer a responsible and eco-friendly alternative to traditional shoes, contributing to a better tomorrow for both people and the planet.
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VIVAIA: Flats, heels, boots, and sneakers made from six plastic bottles
VIVAIA is a brand that manufactures shoes from recycled plastic bottles. Their collection includes boots, flats, heels, loafers, mules, sandals, and sneakers for women. Each pair of shoes is made from at least six plastic bottles, and they are created using a low-waste manufacturing process. The shoes are stylish and versatile, and the brand is committed to sustainability and reducing waste.
VIVAIA's manufacturing partner uses renewable energy and takes steps to reduce its energy usage. The uppers of the shoes are made using a knit technology that reduces production waste by 30%. The shoes are produced in a factory in Dongguan, China, which is regularly inspected to ensure good working conditions.
The shoes themselves are comfortable and practical. They feature natural latex insoles, although customers with a latex allergy should take note of this. The outsoles are carbon-free rubber, and the shoes are machine washable. Even the shoe boxes are made from 90% recycled cardboard and include a quirky quote: "No waste, just misplaced treasure."
VIVAIA is not the only brand creating stylish and sustainable shoes from recycled plastic. Thousand Fell, for example, creates vegan, zero-waste, closed-loop shoes that are durable, repairable, and recyclable. Their sneakers are breathable and comfortable, and they come in a range of colours. SAOLA is another brand that uses recycled PET derived from plastic bottles to create comfortable and durable shoes, reducing landfill waste and lowering carbon emissions.
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SAOLA: Recycled PET (rPET) shoes with comfortable and durable knit construction
SAOLA is a brand that manufactures shoes from recycled PET (rPET) derived from recycled plastic bottles. By recycling plastic into yarn, rPET reduces landfill waste and lowers carbon emissions compared to virgin polyester. The knit construction of SAOLA shoes reduces material waste by producing fabric that precisely matches the product's shape and size requirements. This not only minimises waste but also enhances comfort by adding stretch and providing targeted support to specific areas.
SAOLA shoes also feature recycled EVA (rEVA) midsoles, which take existing synthetic foam and recycle it into a cushioning product. rEVA requires less energy to produce, reducing overall carbon emissions, and is lightweight, flexible, and supportive, making it ideal for all-day comfort. The outsoles of SAOLA shoes are made with a blend of natural and synthetic rubber, reducing the environmental impact by decreasing the use of petroleum-based synthetic materials.
Beneath the layer of cork in SAOLA shoes is recycled PU, which provides cushioning and support for the footbeds. Recycled PU breaks down pre and post-consumer polyurethane and reprocesses it into a new polyurethane, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. SAOLA also utilises organic cotton, which is grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or genetically modified seeds, requiring less water and reducing chemical runoff.
SAOLA's use of recycled materials not only contributes to sustainability and environmental conservation but also ensures comfort and durability. By recycling plastic bottles into yarn, SAOLA creates shoes that feel good on your feet and can withstand extended use. The brand prioritises both functionality and eco-friendliness, making their rPET shoes a top choice for those seeking sustainable and high-performance footwear.
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$99 $179
Sanuk: Sustainable and stylish shoes made from recycled plastic bottles and fabric
The footwear industry has long been criticised for its use of virgin plastic, with a staggering 90% of shoes ending up in landfills. However, several brands are now stepping up to create stylish and sustainable shoes from recycled materials. One such brand is Sanuk, which offers a collection of high-quality, comfortable, and durable footwear made from recycled materials like plastic bottles, polyester fabric, and cotton.
Sanuk's mission is to design more sustainable products and utilise preferred materials, including recycled, renewable, regenerated, and certified natural materials. The brand embraces diversity and strives to create unique products for its diverse customer base. In FY22, Sanuk used 51,761 lbs of rPET, which is predominantly made from plastic water bottles and other recycled PET packaging waste, across all its products. This is the equivalent of over 1.38 million PET water bottles. Additionally, Sanuk has repurposed over 3 million PET water bottles and over 70,000 lbs of post-industrial polyester fibre and textile scrap to date.
Sanuk also prioritises the use of other sustainable materials, such as leather, which it sources from certified Leather Working Group tanneries, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices within the leather industry. The brand aims to increase the use of recycled, bio-based, and natural materials in its midsoles and outsoles year on year. They also plan to ensure that 50% of all co-polyester fibres and films in their footwear come from post-consumer, post-industrial, or renewable resources by 2025.
Sanuk's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products, with the brand also focusing on reducing the environmental impact of its packaging. Sanuk's footwear packaging uses only 4.45% virgin plastic, and they are actively working to reduce plastic packaging in alignment with supply chain challenges. By 2030, Sanuk aims to have 100% of its products designed with the circular economy in mind, ensuring they are reparable, resalable, or suitable for upcycling, downcycling, or recycling.
Sanuk is leading the way in sustainable and stylish footwear, demonstrating that it is possible to combine eco-friendly practices with exceptional comfort and durability. With their innovative use of recycled materials, they are reducing their environmental footprint and offering consumers a more responsible choice.
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Rothy's: Machine-washable shoes made from single-use plastic
Rothy's is an American direct-to-consumer company that designs and sells trendy machine-washable shoes and accessories for women, men, and children. The company was founded in 2012 and launched in 2016 by Stephen Hawthornthwaite and Roth Martin in San Francisco. Rothy's uses thread made from recycled plastic water bottles to knit its items, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. The manufacturing process involves hot-washing and sterilizing water bottles, melting them into plastic chips, and then converting them into fibres that are knit into shape.
Rothy's products are known for their sustainability, aesthetic, and comfort, receiving recognition from various publications. The company has also expanded its product line to include handbags made with plastic. In March 2021, Rothy's launched a shoe recycling program, achieving LEED certification and carbon neutrality. As of 2024, the company has repurposed over 179 million bottles to create their products and recycled over 20,000 pairs of shoes.
Rothy's operates 20 stores across 19 countries, including major cities such as San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The company's investors include prominent firms such as Goldman Sachs and Lightspeed Venture Partners. In December 2021, Rothy's was valued at $1 billion when Alpargatas, the owner of Havaianas, acquired a significant stake in the company.
Rothy's mission is to transform single-use plastic into something incredible, supporting legislation to end its creation. While utilising existing plastic, they also explore new regenerative materials. Their commitment to sustainability extends beyond their products, with their 300,000-square-foot factory in China employing about 100 workers and ensuring good working conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Thousand Fell, VIVAIA, and SAOLA are some brands that make shoes from recycled plastic waste.
The process varies depending on the brand and type of shoe. For example, Thousand Fell creates vegan, zero-waste, closed-loop shoes that are durable, repairable, and recyclable, either to be refurbished or broken down into new shoe materials. SAOLA uses knit construction to reduce material waste and targets specific areas with more support.
Shoes made from recycled plastic waste help to reduce landfill waste and lower carbon emissions. They can also be comfortable and durable, with some brands offering breathable and washable options.
