# Upcycled Sandal Toys The Ocean Sole Gives Wasted Flip-Flops a New Life By Marica Zottino | Published 2013-05-26 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ocean-sole References: [junk-culture](http://www.junk-culture.com/2013/05/kenyan-company-turns-old-sandals-into.html) & [ocean-sole](http://www.ocean-sole.com/) The [Ocean Sole](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ocean-flex) company creates products from wasted sandals found in all parts of the country. The final products are [fancy, happy and colorful objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basket-sculptures) that don’t resemble the former waste nature at all. The Ocean Sole is a story of history and magic, according to the website, that joins the logic of [recycling and upcycling waste](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trashy) with the magic of creation through the experience of artisans from local communities. This is what I’d call a perfect circle. Waste and pollution is removed from beautiful natural spots, turned into objects by locals who earn an income through craftmanship and finally result in beautiful objects. This sums up the happy and colorful spirit of Africa together with its archetypal shapes and icons. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Upcycling:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore ways to transform waste materials into new products, like The Ocean Sole does with wasted flip-flops. - **Artisanal Craftsmanship:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with local communities to create unique and sustainable products, generating income and preserving traditional skills. - **Circular Economy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop strategies to close the loop in product lifecycles, minimizing waste and promoting environmental sustainability. ### Who This Affects Most - **Sustainable Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate upcycled material into fashion designs, creating unique and eco-friendly products. - **Art and Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate upcycled materials into artistic creations, challenging conventional notions of aesthetics and sustainability. - **Waste Management:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative solutions for repurposing and recycling waste materials, reducing the negative impact on the environment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Rope-Made Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shore.md) - [Recycled Maritime Waste Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dantoys-blue-marine-toys.md) - [Recycled Shoe-Made Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remix-maison.md) - [Discarded Shoe-Created Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wu-series.md) - [Contemporary Upcycled Bright Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remix-maison-1.md) - [Sustainable Kinetic Sand Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kinetic-sand-project-planet.md) - [Sustainable Repurposed Plastic Mouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsoft-ocean-plastic-mouse.md) - [Ceramic Waste Carafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sungai-carafe.md) - [Upcycled Cork Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sole-jasper-chukka.md)