Every year, an enormous number of shoes containing fossil-based plastics end up in landfills across the United States. In response, Adidas, Target, and Zalando are collaborating with Fashion for Good to investigate bioplastic options for shoe soles, which account for 40% of a shoe’s weight. This initiative, called The Next Stride, aims to explore innovative biomaterials to reduce the environmental impact of footwear.
The collaboration will engage startups specializing in biomaterials to assess new-generation materials. The initiative is seen as a significant step towards adopting high-performance bio-based alternatives for shoe soles, potentially transforming the footwear industry by addressing a major environmental component of the shoe lifecycle.
Traditional shoe soles often contain materials like polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl acetate foam, which have a significant climate impact and contribute to microplastic pollution. Adidas is particularly focused on how bio-based materials can maintain or enhance their products’ performance while reducing environmental impacts.
The Next Stride will focus on three key objectives over the next year: conducting life cycle assessments of biomaterials, comparing them with traditional materials, and finding ways to reduce costs for these alternatives. Startups like Algenesis Labs, Balena, Evoco, KUORI, and Yulex are leading the charge with innovative materials derived from algae, plants, and natural waste.
The footwear industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability, with regulations pushing for more durable, repairable, and recyclable products. Initiatives like The Next Stride and projects by Fashion for Good and the Footwear Collective are paving the way for a more sustainable future, exploring circularity and reducing emissions. The industry is in a dynamic phase of material innovation, with a strong emphasis on biocircularity and sustainable practices.
