# Upcycled Plastic Shoes Timberland is Creating a Line of Shoes from Recycled Plastic Bottles By Mishal Omar | Published 2016-06-17 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-plastic-bottles References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2016/06/recycled-plastic-bottles-transformed-into-shoes-and-bags.html) & [timberland](https://www.timberland.com/?camp=D:S:G:B:TMS:timberland:TBL&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1v66BRCV-6rh6s-Biu8BEiQAelpui9Ewu-y0NOr5fa_QU2e6Pi6EoiYAKnNNlffbYvjDWwQaAgks8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds) In its upcoming line of shoes and bags, [Timberland](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timberland-2) will use [recycled plastic bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allbirds-remix) that help the environment and uplift the economy of poor communities in Honduras and Haiti. The line will be developed in a partnership between Timberland and Thread -- a company that hires workers in poor areas of countries to create [upcycled textiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sole-jasper-chukka). Timberland will use these textiles, entitled 'Thread fabric' to create their socially and environmentally conscious shoes and bags. In the process, the shoe company hopes that its customers will learn about the workers and communities that helped to create its clothing. Using transparency, environmentally friendly practices and a socially aware mindset, Timberland is setting a new precedent to help resolve issues relating to the environment and poor communities around the world. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Upcycled Plastic:** Timberland's use of recycled plastic bottles highlights the trend of upcycling plastic waste for sustainable fashion and products - **Socially Conscious Fashion:** The partnership between Timberland and Thread showcases the trend of fashion brands embracing socially responsible practices and supporting disadvantaged communities - **Transparency in Supply Chains:** Timberland's effort to educate customers about the workers and communities involved in creating their products reflects the trend of increasing transparency in supply chains ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** The fashion industry has the opportunity to incorporate upcycled plastic and promote sustainable practices through partnerships like Timberland and Thread - **Textile Manufacturing:** The use of upcycled textiles, such as Thread fabric, presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the textile manufacturing industry to reduce waste and carbon footprint - **Sustainable Retail:** By prioritizing transparency and environmentally friendly practices, Timberland sets an example for the retail industry to adopt sustainable business models ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainable Winter-Ready Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timberland-2.md) - [Recycled Rope-Made Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shore.md) - [Textile-to-Textile Recycled Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allbirds-remix.md) - [Petroleum Product-Free Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ripple-shoe.md) - [Sustainable 3D-Printed Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/4dfwd-1.md) - [Upcycled Cork Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sole-jasper-chukka.md) - [Workwear-Themed Fashion Team-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/telfar-4.md) - [Ocean Plastic Laptop Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/targus.md) - [Contemporary Upcycled Bright Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remix-maison-1.md)