Germany – The sportswear brand partnered with designer Simone Post to find innovative ways to upcycle old footwear.
Providing worn-out shoes with a second life, Adidas and Post worked with German company I:CO, which collects used clothing and shoes and recycles them into rubber pellets. Taking these raw materials, Post was able to divide the pellets into black and white tones to create a graphic rug.
While the distinctive striped pattern ensures the rug emulates Adidas' brand identity, flecks of colour from the old sports shoes can be found within the pattern. While the rugs are currently at prototype stage, Post hopes to open up the possibilities for other products to be created from recycled footwear.
The market for upcycling is booming in homeware as well as fashion, as a circular mindset drives brands to explore repurposed materials for use in new products.