US – Eco-conscious footwear brand Allbirds is championing sustainability with its latest product – flip flops made from sugar cane.
Allbirds has spent more than two years developing Sweetfoam, a new sole material that is carbon-negative and derived from renewable sugar cane. ‘Sugar cane pulls carbon out of the environment,’ says Jad Finck, vice-president of sustainability and innovation at Allbirds. ‘It breathes it in, converts it into chemical energy in the form of sugar, and then we convert it into this foam. So while other soles are adding to the carbon footprint, this one is carbon-negative.’
In response to concerns about the environmental impact of polyurethane, the brand hopes to disrupt the sandals market with Sweetfoam, replacing the traditional rubber soles of flip flops with this sustainable alternative. For more on pioneering future materials in fashion, explore the dedicated listicle here.