Vancouver – Native Shoes has launched a sneaker made entirely from compostable plant-based materials.
The footwear brand is pioneering positive change in the industry with its Plant Shoe. The unisex style has been in development since 2017, with Native Shoes establishing the materials and techniques needed to achieve its goal of creating an entirely plant-based sneaker. Its components include textile uppers made from pineapple husks, a linen sockliner, a natural latex outsole made from lactae hevea and a lasting board made from eucalyptus pulp.
In the US alone, more than 300 million pairs of shoes end up in landfill each year, according to the brand. Of these, sneakers are the most impactful due to their use of plastic or chemically-treated components, which are tough to break down. Because of this, the brand is pledging that by 2023, the lifecycle of every pair of Native Shoes will be fully managed to ensure circular practices.
For more on how shoemakers are embracing sustainability, read our Sustainable Footwear Market.