Native Shoes recently unveiled a unique new footwear design that's made from a single piece of algae-enriched EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate)—including the shoe's upper, midsole and outsole. The design fuses EVA with 10% Bloom foam, which is made with repurposed algae. According to the footwear brand's design and development manager Gabe Lam, "Replacing even this amount of the EVA with Bloom cleans 80 litres of water per pair, and keeps 15 balloons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere in comparison with a pair made up of 100% EVA."
As global temperatures rise, algae is becoming more prevalent in fresh waterways and this solution helps to keep waterways free and clear. On top of having environmental benefits, the sneakers are durable, water-resistant and easily cleaned thanks to their unique design.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Algae-enriched Footwear
- Using algae-enriched foam in footwear design provides environmental and performance benefits.
- Sustainable Materials
- The use of repurposed algae in footwear highlights the trend towards sustainable material choices.
- Single-piece Design
- The innovative single-piece construction of the shoes offers durability, water resistance, and easy cleaning.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Footwear
- The footwear industry can explore the use of algae-enriched foam to create sustainable and high-performance products.
- Sustainability
- The sustainability industry can incorporate algae-based materials in various product categories, such as fashion and accessories.
- Eco-friendly Manufacturing
- Manufacturers can adopt the single-piece design concept to optimize production, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact.
