Salomon shoe is recyclable from top to bottom
Outdoor brand Salomon has completed the development of a new performance running shoe called Index.01, stating from the outset that the shoe is made to be recycled. It will come onto the market in spring 2021.
It said the development is the result of three years’ research and development at its design centre in Annecy and that it has constructed the shoe with the aim of reducing material waste in mind.
There is recycled polyester in the upper and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in the bottom unit, making both parts of the Index.01 recyclable. The bottom unit will be ground down into pellets, which the brand will combine with virgin TPU to make alpine ski boots and other products. The polyester upper, along with the polyester thread used to stitch together the upper and bottom unit, will be turned into yarn and used to weave recycled fabric.
A water-based glue is also used to connect the bottom unit and the upper; Salomon explained this would minimise “material contamination” and to make the product easy to disassemble at the end of its life.
The company said at the time of the launch that a key challenge had been finding a material for the bottom unit that could deliver “the perfect amount” of shock absorption and rebound needed for road running while still being recyclabe. The answer was a nitrogen-infused, TPU-based foam it has called Infiniride. Proprietary rocker geometry, which the brand calls R.Camber, helps propel runners forward and allows them to spend less time on the ground. The shoe also features a 9mm drop and a moulded sock liner that is made from 100% recycled EVA foam and a recycled polyester cover.
When runners decide they can no longer use the Index.01, they can print a shipping label from the Salomon website and send the shoes to the closest collection centre free of charge. From there, the shoes will begin their journey towards a second life. There will be collection centres in Europe, North America and Asia. There, the product will be washed and disassembled before each material is sent for recycling locally.
