Ever heard of that plastic island floating in the ocean? Well, that’s a good example of where your old worn out shoes end up. You see, plenty of products, especially shoes, wear out quicker than their material makeup which can go on to last for thousands of years. Designed with this in mind, AlgiKicks are revolutionary sustainable sneakers that can be reabsorbed back into the environment almost as fast as it was made.
The shoes are made from a rapidly renewable kelp-based material developed by AlgiKnit, a biomaterials research group based in New York City. This material is produced from rapidly renewing biopolymers, derived primarily from kelp, one of the fastest growing organisms on the planet. It can be manufactured with minimal waste and rapidly degrades after the product has finished its lifetime. This provides a sustainable alternative to conventional sneakers which can take up to 1000 years to decompose. So, instead of contributing to that ever-growing plastic island in the sea, you’ll be wearing a product that started its life in the very ocean you’re saving.
Designers: Aaron Nesser & Algiknit
