American shoe brand Allbirds has presented a new collection that ‘Waste turnover in treasures’ with the very first shoes made from textile-to textile recycled materials from poly-cotton waste.
The sneakers have been developed in collaboration with Blumaka, a precursor in processing recycled foam to high-quality shoe products, and Circ, an innovator in textile-to-textile recycling, to give production waste a second life through mixed textile waste and foam residues into brand new shoes.
Adrian Nyman, head of design at Allbirds, says in a statement: “For us, ‘better things in a better way’ means that we are not bound by one technology or one production method – we have a boundless curiosity that inspires us to explore unexpected approaches.
“Remix is the next step in our innovation trip, with a sustainable design that improves both the look and the feeling.”
The Remix models, the Runner NZ Remix and Cruiser Remix, contain Blumaka-Middensolen, made of recovered foam residues of the production of sports shoes. These are ground and formed into a high-quality, recycled foam mix in a process that uses 99 percent less water and has 65 percent less CO2 emissions than traditional foam production.
Stuart Jenkins, director of Blumaka: “Allbirds shows that the world does not need new foam, but makes smarter use of existing resources. We do not recycle waste – we reuse the most advanced foam ever made and improve it.
“Our process delivers top products with proven sustainability and comfort. Allbirds Remix shows that waste foam is not a problem, but a chance. Better for people. Better for the planet.”
In addition, the Remix models also use textile-to textile recycled materials from polycottry waste, using Circs patented hydrothermic recycling process that separates cotton and polyester fibers and retrains mixed clothing.
Peter Majeranowski, director of Circ, adds: “This collaboration with Allbirds marks an important milestone in the proof that textile-to-textile recycling can go beyond clothing and can be used in high-quality shoes.
“By using Circfilament Lyocell from recycled textile waste as part of the upper work for the remix, we show that circular materials do not require compromise, they can look better, feel better and be better for the planet. This is the future of fashion and we are proud of doing so.”
Allbirds Remix models are available online and in American and British stores with a selling price of 140 US dollars.
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