The new footwear collection from Spanish fashion brand Ecoalf is made from recycled waste found in oceans and rivers.
Five old plastic bottles sourced from the Mediterranean Sea are used to create each pair of Shao sneakers. This discarded plastic is processed into a yarn, which is used to create a black knitted upper sole that fits the wearer like a sock.
The outer sole is made from a type of algae that grows in excess in lakes and rivers. Ecoalf transforms this algae into a flexible foam that permits easy movement, while benefiting the environment.
"Algae gives us the most flexible-performing foam," the brand told Dezeen. "Also, removing it allows clean water to circulate properly, supports plant and animal life, and eliminates the need for non-renewable oils." The shoe has a minimal, no-fuss design, meaning it can be mass-produced as efficiently as possible with these limited raw materials.
Ecoalf's Shao sneakers feature yarn uppers made from ocean plastic and a foam sole made from processed algae
"The process is zero-waste," said the brand. "We only use two materials, and construct the upper sole in a way that reduces the number of steps in the supply chain to just one. There are no laces, no insole, and we?ve printed our label to avoid using any extra fabric, without compromising on the design."
Ecoalf works with fishermen along the coast of Spain to source the waste for all of its collections, as part of a long-term project...