Public School made the most of an alternative to leather, grown by microbes, to create a backyard compostable sneaker. The New York streetwear label collaborated with material scientist Theanne Schiros to create the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) that forms most of the footwear design, including the upper, midsole and laces. Notably, this is a key component of making kombucha and through fermentation, the SCOBY creates a substitute to leather that's said to have "up to a 97% lower carbon footprint than synthetic polyurethane (PU) leather," according to Schiros.
The sneakers made with microbial bio-leather are designed to last several years but they can also be broken down in a backyard compost pile in a matter of months.
What's Driving This Trend
- Microbial Bio-leather Footwear
- There is an opportunity for companies to develop sustainable footwear using microbial bio-leather technology.
- Backyard Composting
- Opportunities exist for companies to create products that can be easily composted in a backyard, reducing waste and environmental impact.
- Sustainable Materials
- Companies can explore the use of sustainable materials in their products to reduce their carbon footprint and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
Who This Affects Most
- Footwear Industry
- The footwear industry can benefit from investing in sustainable materials and production methods, such as microbial bio-leather technology.
- Sustainability Industry
- The sustainability industry can promote and develop backyard composting solutions for easy and eco-friendly disposal of products.
- Fashion Industry
- The fashion industry can incorporate sustainable materials and design practices to reduce waste and promote environmental awareness.
