Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a significant part of the world's growing pollution problem, and shoes are no exception. The average American bought seven pairs of shoes in 2018, many of which are made of plastic and end up in landfills and oceans. The footwear industry is increasingly seeking sustainable alternatives, with companies like Adidas and Sevilla Smith reusing and recycling plastic in their shoes. Other companies, like SAOLA, use recycled PET plastic derived from plastic bottles to create durable and comfortable shoes that reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions. While plastic shoes may be comfortable, flexible, and lightweight, the environmental impact of their production and disposal is a growing concern.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic shoes originated in | Germany during World War II |
| Plastic soles are | lightweight, spray foam molding, and resistant to wear and tear |
| Plastic soles are not | slip-resistant |
| Rubber soles are | anti-skid, waterproof, resistant to wear and tear, and provide better grip than plastic soles |
| Plastic shoes | are not easily recycled and end up in oceans and landfills |
| Plastic shoes | are made from fossil fuels |
| Plastic shoes | are made from petrochemicals like ethylene and propylene |
| Plastic shoes | are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) |
| Plastic shoes | are made from polyvinyl, a type of plastic |
| Plastic shoes | are made from polyurethane, which allows for shock absorption and better insulation |
| Plastic shoes | are made from nylon and polyester fabrics composed of fine plastic fiber threads |
| Plastic shoes | are made from synthetic rubber, an artificial elastomer synthesized from petroleum byproducts |
| Plastic shoes | are made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, a soft, flexible plastic filled with air bubbles |
| Plastic shoes | are made from Pe-bax™ foam midsole material |
| Plastic shoes | are made from polyvinyl, a leather look-alike |
| Plastic shoes | are made from upcycled waste rubber |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic shoes are harmful to the environment
The environmental impact of plastic shoes extends beyond their production. Plastic shoes are a significant source of pollution, both during their use and after disposal. Studies have found that plastic shoes release microplastics during regular use, contributing to global microplastic pollution. The low density of plastic particles allows them to be transported by wind and ocean currents, leading to the widespread distribution of plastic pollutants. These particles can be found in remote regions such as the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Galapagos Islands.
The accumulation of plastic pollutants in natural environments has severe ecological consequences. Plastic particles can be ingested by aquatic organisms directly or through the food chain, leading to toxic effects. These pollutants can alter genetics, cause inflammation, change feeding behaviour, and impact reproduction in aquatic animals. The social costs of plastic pollution are unevenly distributed, with seafood-dependent coastal communities bearing a higher risk.
Additionally, the complex and hard-to-recycle constructions of modern shoes contribute to persistent environmental issues. The combination of synthetic fibres, foams, and rubbers in shoe designs makes recycling challenging, resulting in increased waste and pollution when shoes are discarded. While leather shoes may be a more sustainable alternative, the processing of leather also contributes to industry emissions, and the ideal solution lies in exploring cleaner and greener alternatives.
To address the environmental harm caused by plastic shoes, the footwear industry needs to adopt more sustainable practices. This includes exploring natural alternatives to replace petrochemicals in foam, such as recycled cork midsoles, and reducing the use of plastic in shoe construction. By embracing innovation and prioritizing sustainability, the industry can create more environmentally friendly options for consumers and reduce the harmful impact of plastic shoes on the planet.
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Plastic shoes are hard to recycle
The intricate composition of shoes makes it difficult to separate the different materials during the recycling process. For example, a machine capable of identifying and dismantling each component would be incredibly sophisticated and costly. As a result, shoes often end up in landfills, where they can take anywhere from 25 to 1,000 years to biodegrade, contributing to environmental pollution and degradation.
Additionally, shoes made from mixed materials are particularly challenging to recycle. Van Enter, an expert in the field, affirms that shoes utilising multiple materials are "tricky, if not impossible" to recycle. Consequently, shoes made from a single material, such as Adidas's "Futurecraft Loop" sneaker, offer a glimmer of hope for recyclability. However, even with advancements in recycling technologies, the recycling process for plastics is energy-intensive and often results in downcycling rather than true recycling.
Downcycling refers to the process of converting waste materials into new products of lesser quality or value. While it helps keep waste out of landfills and prolongs the materials' usefulness, it is not a true solution to the plastic waste problem. To address the underlying issue, Brennan, an expert in the field, asserts that "we're just going to have to buy and consume a lot less." This sentiment underscores the importance of reducing our reliance on plastic products and embracing more sustainable alternatives.
Some companies, like Nike and Timberland, have implemented sustainable initiatives to recycle shoes, and innovative solutions, such as using recycled cork for midsoles, are being explored. However, these efforts are still relatively scarce, and the overall impact of the footwear industry on the environment remains significant. Thus, it is essential to continue seeking more sustainable alternatives and reducing our consumption of plastic products, including plastic shoes, to mitigate their negative environmental consequences.
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Plastic soles are less comfortable than rubber soles
Another factor contributing to the comfort of rubber soles is their ability to withstand wear and tear. Rubber is known for its durability and resistance to salt and water, making it a suitable choice for long-lasting footwear. Plastic soles, on the other hand, may not be as durable and may require more frequent replacements.
Additionally, rubber soles offer a level of flexibility and mouldability that plastic soles lack. While rubber soles provide rigidity and structure, they can also adapt to the shape of your feet to some extent, providing a more customised and comfortable fit over time. Leather soles are also mentioned in this context, as they mould to the shape of the wearer's feet, providing a unique and personalised level of comfort.
The environmental impact of these sole materials is also worth considering. Footwear made from upcycled waste rubber is more environmentally friendly than plastic soles, which often contribute to the plastic problem due to their non-recyclable nature. By choosing rubber soles over plastic, consumers can make a more sustainable choice, reducing their environmental footprint.
Lastly, cork soles have been offered as an eco-friendly alternative to both plastic and rubber soles. Cork midsoles, such as the ReCORK Recycled Cork midsole, utilise natural wine corks to create a material that is just as cushioning, flexible, and durable as the foams found in traditional sneakers. This innovation not only addresses the comfort factor but also provides a sustainable solution to the plastic problem in the footwear industry.
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Plastic shoes are lightweight
Plastic is a prevalent material in the footwear industry. Designers and manufacturers have driven an explosion in the quality and types of synthetic materials used in shoes. The demand for lighter, bouncier, and mouldable materials has been satisfied by plastic. Plastic shoes are lightweight.
Plastic soles were introduced during World War II in Germany. They are made from environmental protection materials and help in hydrolysis. They are also resistant to wear and tear. However, plastic soles are not slip-resistant and do not provide a good grip, especially when compared to rubber soles.
The rise of sports, sex, and fashion has shaped modern footwear design and left shoes filled with plastics. Athletes wanted shoes that wouldn't stretch and would give them a boost. Designers wanted to use materials that looked like leather but deformed less. This led to the use of polyvinyl, a type of plastic, for the uppers of shoes.
The foam in sneaker midsoles is derived from fossil fuels, just like plastics. The footwear industry is working towards using cleaner, greener alternatives. Some companies are removing plastic from their shoes altogether, while others are recycling or reusing plastic. For example, Adidas is making sneakers out of plastic ocean waste.
While plastic shoes are lightweight, there are concerns about their environmental impact. Plastic shoes often end up in landfills or the ocean, where they break down into microplastics and disrupt the marine food chain. The footwear industry is constantly improving and working towards more sustainable practices.
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Plastic shoes are durable
The demand for plastic in shoes stems from the desire for lighter, bouncier, moulded materials. Athletes wanted shoes that wouldn't stretch and would give them a competitive edge. In 1972, Nike released the Cortez sneaker, with a foam layer between the outsole and midsole made from Phylon, a composite of little ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam pellets. The soft, squishy, springy foam sole was born, and designers began to use leather look-alikes for the uppers, usually made from polyvinyl, a type of plastic.
The foam in sneaker midsoles is derived from fossil fuels, just like plastics, and it is this that gives the shoes their durability. However, the environmental impact of this type of shoe is now being questioned. Plastic shoes are not easily recycled, and they often end up in the ocean or in landfills, where they break down into microplastics and disrupt the marine food chain.
Some companies are now removing plastic from their shoes altogether, and cork is being touted as an eco-friendly alternative. However, the footwear industry is facing a challenge: how to build a better, more sustainable shoe without compromising on durability.
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Frequently asked questions
Many types of plastic are used in shoes, including EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) foam, nylon and polyester fabrics composed of fine plastic fibre threads, and PU foam. The rubber in shoes is often a mix of real rubber and synthetic rubber, which is a type of plastic.
Plastic soles are known for their durability, being light, and affordable. However, rubber soles are considered more comfortable, flexible, and shock-resistant on hard surfaces.
Plastic is not easily recycled and can end up in oceans and landfills, where it breaks down into microplastics that disrupt the marine food chain. Some companies are trying to reduce the use of plastic in shoes, while others are reusing or recycling plastic in their shoes.
