Reebok swapping plastics for plants with new running shoe
06/12/2019
The company said the most significant sustainability advancement is the shoe’s “highly cushioned, responsive midsole, which is built from sustainably-grown castor beans” without losing the performance and lightweight cushioning standard of the original Forever Floatride Energy.
A eucalyptus tree upper is said to be naturally biodegradable, sustainably sourced, strong and breathable, while the sockliner uses BLOOM algae foam, which is harvested from invasive growth areas and is naturally odour resistant. Finally, natural rubber outsole is sustainably sourced from real rubber trees.
With this shoe, Reebok is replacing oil-based plastic with plants, according to Bill McInnis, vice president of Reebok Future.
“The biggest challenge in making a shoe like this was developing plant-based materials that could meet the high performance needs of runners,” said Mr McInnis. “During the three years we spent developing this product, we heard loud and clear that the idea of a plant-based running shoe resonates strongly with serious runners. But those same runners felt just as emphatically that they would never compromise on performance.”
Reebok is working on cutting virgin polyester from its material mix and eliminating it entirely by 2024.
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