New Zealand eco-footwear startup Orba is now sharing the first commercially available biodegradable eco sneakers, which are intentionally made to fall apart and decompose at the end of their usable life. These sneakers set themselves apart from the vast majority of footwear on the market that's made with glues and other materials that do not biodegrade. Over the course of the 40 to 1,000 years it takes for regular footwear styles to fully break down, toxins and carbon emissions are created in the process.
The Ghost sneaker supports the circular economy and it uses materials from nature, that will return to nature. Although currently biodegradable, Orba is on a mission to make its shoes fully compostable in the future.
Fully Biodegradable Sneakers
Orba's Eco Sneakers Decompose at the End of Their Life
Trend Themes
1. Biodegradable Footwear - The trend of developing fully biodegradable footwear to reduce waste and support sustainability.
2. Circular Economy Fashion - The trend of creating circular economy fashion products that are designed to be environmentally friendly with a focus on the full product lifecycle, from production to disposal.
3. Sustainable Material Innovation - The trend of using innovative sustainable materials, such as those used by Orba in their eco sneakers, to reduce environmental impact in the fashion industry.
Industry Implications
1. Footwear Manufacturing - Footwear manufacturing companies can disrupt the industry by shifting towards fully biodegradable or compostable materials, and designing their products with circular economy principles in mind.
2. Sustainability Consulting - Sustainability consulting firms can capitalize on the growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions in the fashion industry by helping companies transition towards more sustainable practices and materials.
3. Biodegradable Material Development - Companies focused on biodegradable material innovation can partner with fashion companies to provide sustainable material solutions for their products, like what Orba has done with their eco sneakers.