Scientists Develop 100% Biodegradable Sneakers Made From Algae ‘Plastic’

As we try to tackle the concerning issue of climate change and its impact, it’s time the world starts looking at fashion—which has been reported to make up 10% of humanity’s entire carbon emissions.

That’s where Algenesis, an offshoot of the University of California-San Diego, comes in, with the company arguably claiming to have created the “world’s first” fully biodegradable sneakers that won’t clog up landfills.

Dubbed the ‘Blueview’ shoes, these kicks comprise uppers made from machine-knitted hemp and eucalyptus yarn, and a proprietary sole made from polyurethane foam known as Soleic.

Of course, other brands have said they’d developed biodegradable shoes, including sportswear giants Puma and Reebok. Back in 2019, Vancouver brand Native Shoes also launched footwear that was touted to be the first fully compostable shoe.

Nevertheless, not only will Blueview’s entire shoe biodegrade in compost bins, it’s able to fully break down in soil or the ocean, making it a huge improvement over the rubber soles we’ve used for decades that will still be littering the Earth centuries later. 

Stephen Mayfield, a molecular biology professor and CEO of Blueview, explained that as petroleum, which forms plastics, comes from algae, the team devised a plan to create a plastic-like sole directly from algae oil instead. 

In addition to its sneakers, the group has also come up with algae-based flip flops using the same Soleic Foam, which will make strolls on the beach during warm summer days all the more sustainable. 

The company said that third-party studies have found that in industrial composting conditions, its sneakers’ uppers can break down completely in just a few months, with the sole following in about a year’s time. 

“I hope we sell so many of our shoes that all the big fashion brands are forced to start using bio-based and biodegradable materials in their shoes and clothes,” remarked Mayfield.

Snag a pair for yourself here at US$135, available in vintage black and sand dune.

[via New Atlas and University of California-San Diego, images via various sources]