New materials are a focus of research for fashion brands looking to make sneakers greener. But this isn't the only solution. Some brands are turning to existing materials to further limit the carbon footprint of the world's best-selling shoes
Sneakers are embracing new materials to forge a more sustainable future. Sneakers are embracing new materials to forge a more sustainable future.
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One day, our favorite sneakers could well be made from sushi, look like a patchwork of fabric scraps, or even decompose in the ground. Right now, the fashion industry is coming up with all kinds of ideas and techniques to reinvent this wardrobe staple to help make it greener.
Not content with having relegated heels, moccasins and other shoe styles to the back of the closet, in recent years, sneakers have managed to become real collector's items. And this shows no sign of slowing. Estimated to be worth some $70 billion in 2022, the global sneaker market is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2026, according to data published by Statista. But these impressive figures inevitably raise questions about the carbon dioxide emissions and the mountains of waste generated by these coveted objects. This issue has already been taken on board by some in the industry, who are trying to revolutionize the sector with innovations to make it greener.
Other brands are going even further, experimenting with totally unexpected ingredients. For example, in 2022, the brand O.T.A. Paris unveiled a pair of sneakers partially made from sushi and maki leftovers. The concept might sound amusing, but it could prove an inspiration to others. The label has partnered with a French tannery to transform fish skins from a Sushi Shop restaurant in Lyon into a logo badge, and the sole of the product is made from recycled tires and rubber. For its part, American brand Cole Haan has turned to the dandelion to develop the outsole of its sneakers. Known as an alternative to rubber latex, the dandelion can be transformed into a specific rubber that fits perfectly with the aesthetics and technical requirements of sneakers. Meanwhile, French designer Eugène Riconneaus is combining style with environmentalism by collecting marine waste and repurposing it to make sneakers.