Converse Renew Sneakers — Prototyping the Sustainable Footwear Revolution

Fast fashion brands around the world are ramping up efforts to recycle, resell, and incorporate innovative materials into their merchandise as consumers increasingly seek sustainable fashion. However, the transition towards environmentally friendly apparel has been slow, to say the least. While acknowledging the problem is the first step in addressing it, brands need to stop waiting for a silver bullet solution and begin their sustainability journeys somewhere.

Ubuntoo has curated an extensive database of environmental solutions that help make the fashion industry more sustainable. Specifically, Ubuntoo has been working with Converse and design agency Propelland to find solutions across the supply chain — from manufacturing materials to waste upcycling — in order to build a sustainable or circular sneaker.

While the project initially focused on scouting for sustainable materials and dyes for Converse’s iconic Chuck Taylors, the scope of the project has since expanded to include environmental solutions for other services involved in building a truly circular sneaker brand. These include solutions related to systems thinking, sneaker care, footwear recycling, take-back programs, and more.

This collaboration brings to light the importance of faster prototyping. Even though all solutions might not be 100 percent sustainable right out the gate, it is important for companies to experiment and attain partial success rather than wait for one perfect solution to emerge.

In this issue of your Ubuntoo digest, we focus on some of the more promising solutions used in 15 prototypes. These were discovered through Ubuntoo’s “Solution Search” GreenHouse service. We hope to see these ideas commercially explored in the near future. You can learn more at https://renewlabs.com/..

Innovation Spotlight

E.dye - Textile dye obtained from bacteria

Saucolors - Natural dyes from Elderberry Trees

AIR-INK - Harvesting air pollutants to create carbon-based ink

Origen Textiles -  Specialized natural dye and traditional techniques

Must-Read: The Circular Toolbox

The "Circular Tool Box" is a step-by-step guide for apparel brands to design and launch a rental or resale pilot in 10 months. The toolbox guides you through a tried and tested circular innovation process and provides you with all the resources you'll need along the way. It will take you on a journey towards the launch of a circular business model that is financially competitive, impact-driven and delights and engages the user.