Not-so-carbon footprint – Reebok creates the world’s first plant-based athletic shoe
When you think about one industry that could have a serious impact by going plant-based, sneakers are right up there. With more than 20 billion pairs of athletic footwear produced every year, it’s not exactly the most environmentally sound operation. Reebok is taking a step in the right direction with Cotton + Corn, its (and the world’s) first-ever totally plant-based athletic shoe.
A lot of us admittedly don’t think about the life cycle of our clothes, but it was a question of where our old shoes end up that prompted the creation of Reebok’s Cotton + Corn sneaker. The athletic giant launched a research campaign last year to reduce its impact on the environment, starting with the creation of an alternative to the ever-popular petroleum-based rubber and foam soles that are used in footwear. A bioplastic soul was created and a totally plant-based shoe was born.
When it comes to the manufacturing process of the Cotton + Corn sneaker, the name really does give it away – these shoes are made entirely from things that grow and can thus bio-compost. Most regular sneakers contain oil-based plastics that stick around on the planet for hundreds of years, but each component of the Cotton + Corn shoe can be broken down. The actual sneaker features a sole made from corn, an insole derived from castor bean oil, and the upper woven from 100 percent cotton. Rigorous testing ensures that Cotton + Corn sneakers perform just like any other athletic shoe – minus the damage to the environment caused by mass production.
Want to soothe your souls with some plant-based kicks? You can shop the Reebok Cotton + Corn through the brand’s website.