These sneakers made from plants enrich the soil once you throw them away – Publimetro México

There are many emerging projects that seek to contribute to the conservation of the environment by avoiding pollution. One of them is the one developed by Unless Collective, which consists of plastic-free sneakers that break down into biodegradable materials once discarded.

The Degenerate shoes are inspired by skateboard shoes and made from 100% plants and minerals, so they can become end-of-life soil products.

“We have developed real applications that turn our shoes into valuable inputs for new soil products, which allows Unless to use the decomposition process to give rise to something totally new”, they explain from Unless Collective.

Unless Collective teamed up with NFW (Natural Fiber Wielding), a company that develops plant-based materials, to produce a material soft enough to serve as the sole and cushioning of The Degenerate.

To create a breathable, lightweight and flexible shoe that offers protection, durability, comfort and traction, the company stressed that they had to go back in time to rediscover old-school shoemaking techniques used in the era before plastics.

The fact that the sole is made of plants does not make these shoes any less durable.

“Made solely from plants and minerals, The Degenerate can handle anything. It is made to last”, assures the company.

In order for these shoes to return to earth to degrade, they cannot be left in the environment and wait for them to disappear, they must be returned to Unless Collective for care.

“All of our products are made to last, but inevitably, shoes and clothing wear out. We collect your shoes at no additional cost and return them to our material supplier and partner NFW. NFW will then create new soil products”, concludes the company.

“It can be stressful to think about the environmental impact of plastic waste. But we’ve got you covered so you don’t have to feel bad about wanting to dress in style.”

— Eric Liedtke, director general of UNLESS

US$139

is the price of The Degenerate sneakers.

Eric Liedtke, Director General of UNLESS

Q: Tell us about the design of The Degenerate?

– We’ve designed The Degenerate by tucking a clean, simple upper into a deep cupsole, creating a strong, modern silhouette with attitude and style. The textile shell provides breathability and comfort, while the reinforced fender and eye guard provide increased durability and protection. The sole has high sidewalls, and the insole is low to the ground for stability, while the robust outsole allows traction on all surfaces.

Q: And the materials?

– The Degenerate are powered by plant-based technology. We’ve partnered with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) to use a revolutionary set of materials: MIRUM®, a plant-based, leather-like material, and CLARUS®, an innovative regenerative fabric, to create the upper of the shoe. For the bottom of the shoe, new solutions had to be created from scratch. We collaborate with NFW to create, engineer and produce unique natural rubber compounds (TUNERATM and PLIANT™) durable enough for soles and soft enough for cushioning foams. Based on natural rubber, cured with citric acid (and not sulfuric acid), and using mineral (not plastic) fillers, these compounds can also break down harmlessly at the end of their useful life.

Q: Are these shoes resistant?

– In order for us to create a breathable, lightweight and flexible shoe with enough protection, durability and traction to withstand anything a person can throw at it without using plastics or petrochemicals, it wasn’t enough to just have innovative new materials. We had to go back in time, to the old school shoemaking techniques used in the pre-plastics era, to relearn how to make shoes without industrial glues, nylon threads, thermoplastic supports, and even aglets. To harness these techniques, we went to the spiritual home of artisan shoemaking: Italy. For us at UNLESS, regenerative fashion means taking full responsibility for the end of life of everything we make, so that it can be safely returned to the elements and used to create something totally new. It also means making products of the highest quality so that they can have a long and useful life. Quality manufacturing is essential to bringing our vision of regenerative fashion to life.

Q: What message do you want to spread with this project?

– Our plastic-free hoodies, utility jackets, new ombre cotton flannels, and bucket hats are made from all plants, built to last, and will break down harmlessly so you can wear whatever you want guilt-free. And of course, the new The Degenerate regenerative slippers make a great gift for friends, family or yourself.