Month: March 2020

Categories
Sustainability

World Water Day 2020: What It is and How You Can Help

There are a ton of “holidays” throughout the year to get excited about (hey there, Ice Cream Day), but let’s step back a minute to observe something way more pressing–World Water Day. This and other environmental awareness dates like Earth Day (April 22) and World Environment Day (June 5) are designated days to bring attention to the environmental crises our world faces each day.

What is World Water Day?

International World Water Day is held on March 22 each year. The importance of World Water Day is to bring attention to the lack of access to safe drinking water to impoverished and disadvantaged individuals around the world and to advocate for more sustainable management of freshwater resources. Every year, events are held around the world on this day to bring awareness and action upon people who have the power to inspire change.

History

This international day to celebrate freshwater was suggested at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. Shortly after, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 22, 1993, as the first World Water Day.

Why World Water Day?

World Water Day invites people around the world to observe and take this day as an opportunity to learn more about water-related issues around the world, to spread awareness regarding access to water, and to make an impact on the global water crisis. We should really be aware of our water usage year-round, but having a dedicated day is like a reminder that we all need to be a bit more conscious.

If you’re here, you’re making the effort to learn about what World Water Day really means, and that’s the essence of it, so GO YOU.

What is this year’s World Water Day theme?

Every year, UN-Water sets a theme for World Water Day that corresponds to a current or future challenge. The central theme for World Water Day 2019 is ‘Leaving no one behind’, an adaptation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6)’s core promise to bring access to clean water to every person on earth by 2030, also known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: as sustainable development progresses, everyone must benefit.

Last year’s theme was ‘The Answer is in Nature’. World Water Day 2020’s theme will be about climate change.

What problem does World Water Day aim to solve?

Billions of people are still living without safe water worldwide–households, schools, workplaces, farms, and factories struggle to survive and thrive. The lack of access to clean water occurs in marginalized groups–women, children, refugees, indigenous peoples, disabled people, and many others–and they struggle to gain access to the safe water they need and deserve due to discrimination. Examples of some of the ‘grounds for discrimination’ are sex and gender, race, ethnicity, religion, birth, caste, language, and nationality, disability, age, health status, property, tenure, residence, economic and social status–among others.

It is important to think of clean water as a basic human right. It’s a critical resource that everyone should have access to. The water crisis is a public health issue as well as a sustainable development issue that we need to work together to improve.

Water Sanitation and Hygiene

Without proper systems in place for water sanitation, contamination between water sources can pose a real problem for communities. Along with the issue of accessibility to clean water, people all over the world are still prone to disease from contaminated water and unhygienic water conditions that can lead to death.

Warning: Some of the following statistics might shock you.

Facts about Water Sanitation and Hygiene from the World Health Organization

  • 71% of the global population is using a safely managed drinking water service
  • 2 billion people around the world are using a drinking water source that is contaminated with fecal matter
  • 68% of the global population uses improved sanitation facilities Water sanitation is critical for public health. Good sanitation practices prevent diseases including diarrhea, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma, which affect millions of people today.
  • 2.1 billion people have access to improved sanitation facilities and sanitation services since 1990
  • 842,000 deaths by diarrhea per year resulting from a lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene
  • 58% of the diarrheal deaths could be prevented through safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene

Visit www.who.int for more information.

Facts about the Global Water Crisis from Water.org

  • 1 in 9 people lack access to safe water
  • 1 in 3 lack access to a toilet
  • 844 million people are living without access to safe water
  • 2.3 billion people are living without access to improved sanitation
  • women and girls around the world spend approximately 200 million hours every day collecting water
  • every 2 minutes, a child dies from a water-related disease
  • 1/3 of all schools lack access to water and sanitation, taking time away from school and play
  • the 3rd leading cause of child death is diarrhea, caused by unsafe water

Visit www.water.org for more information.

Ways to Observe World Water Day

  1. Conserve water at home
    Even though it may not seem like you use a lot of water, being mindful of your water footprint is an important step toward conservation. Reduce the amount of time it takes for you to shower, invest in water-saving toilets, low flow shower-heads, reduce the number of times you run the laundry machine–every bit counts.
  2. Organize a campaign to raise funds and awareness

    Spread the word about the global water crisis. It’s important to talk about water issues and how they can be mitigated across the world. Discuss what can be done to improve water quality through proper water services and how water sources can be brought to water-scarce areas. You can also donate your birthday to a cause via Facebook, a crowdfunding tool that allows you to raise awareness and funds for a non-profit of your choice.
  3. Companies can contribute too
    Setting an example in your industry or for your employees can help boost company morale and culture. Your company can seek opportunities to aid the water crisis by partnering with non-profit organizations, becoming sponsors for water projects, and implementing sustainable practices company-wide.
    At LARQ, we’re doing our part by partnering with 1% for the Planet, an organization that aims to amplify the impact of member-nonprofit partnerships through strategic donations to fuel environmental change. By contributing to 1% for the Planet, we’re benefiting nonprofits in that help improve our environment and protect the planet from further damage. This network of environmental non-profits includes organizations in the land, climate, food, pollution, water, and wildlife sectors. For 2020, we’re committing 1% of proceeds to Well Aware, a member of 1% for the Planet that builds water systems in communities lacking access to safe drinking water. These well systems are life-changing. No longer do women and children need to walk miles to get water–missing work or school in the process. Access to safe water also reduces disease rates otherwise caused by drinking contaminated water.
  4. If you would like to contribute financially to the water crisis, here’s a list of nonprofit organizations that help close the gap for access to water around the world:

1% for the Planet

Become a member as a business or as an individual in 1% for the Planet’s member-nonprofit network. You’ll be contributing to global environmental causes–water-related and other.

Well Aware

Well Aware is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, TX that builds sustainable water systems in communities lacking access to safe drinking water. With Well Aware’s help, disease rates are reduced by at least 64% and education is increased by 34%. It’s amazing what clean water can do for communities. Further instilling the fact that water is a privilege–not a right. For the year 2020, LARQ is donating 1% of all proceeds to Well Aware to support their efforts. In addition, the LARQ Bottle Benefit Edition donates 5% of proceeds to Well Aware.

Charity:Water

With Charity:Water, 100% of your donation will bring clean water to people in need. They partner with local organizations worldwide to provide sustainable water and sanitation services. They’ve funded 35,281 water projects for 9.5 million people all over the globe, and want to continue to do this with your help. To help with the water crisis, LARQ helped fund a water project in Uganda with Charity:Water during the launch of our self-cleaning water bottle. We believe in action more than words, and intend to continue bringing awareness to the water crisis and environmental pollution.

Water.org

Water.org wants to bring access to safe water and sanitation by providing help with small, affordable loans. They make your $1 donation go further by putting it into something called WaterCredit, which creates $47 worth of impact. Founders, Matt Damon and Gary White, discovered this smart sustainable solution to the water crisis, helping to bring water and sanitation expertise to people in need.

WaterAid

Established in 1981, WaterAid equips people with clean water and functioning toilets to normalize a clean quality of life. By focusing on bringing clean water, toilets, and promoting good hygiene, WaterAid hopes to reduce the number of child deaths resulting from diarrhea and transform people’s lives for good.

Planet Water Foundation

Planet Water Foundation supports more than 1 million people in 13 countries by bringing clean water to impoverished communities. Their chief water projects include the “AquaTower” and “AquaHome”, community-based water filtration systems that are installed to provide access to clean water, coupled with Water-Health and Hygiene Education programs. Planet Water Foundation focuses its efforts on schools, children, and rural communities across the Asia-Pacific Region and Latin America.

Water For People

Water For People’s goal is to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, to make them accessible to all, and to be sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments. Water For People explores possibilities for innovation, cost reduction, and overall improvements of the communities they support.

Lifewater

As a Christian clean water organization, Lifewater has been bringing clean water, improved health, and gospel hope to people living in extreme poverty around the world. Donate directly to a project of your choice on their website.

Blood:Water

Help Blood:Water equip African organizations with the resources to provide access to clean water through technologies. They also support individuals affected by HIV/AIDS on medical, psychological, social, cultural, material, and legal levels throughout their illness.

Generosity.org

The spirit of generosity is about giving and empowering, and that’s exactly what Generosity.org does. They focus on water and sanitation to give clean water to impoverished peoples, medical aid, education, family support, and much more.

Splash

The goal of Splash is focused on bringing clean drinking water to children by providing customized hygiene education services, to change lives by bringing safe water to kids in schools, orphanages, hospitals and shelters around the world.

Remember, water is a basic human need and no one should be left behind. Let’s help the entire population of the earth to gain access to clean water by 2030!

Categories
Wellness

Productivity tips for working from home and staying healthy

Photo by Christopher Gower on Unsplash

Amidst the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a lot of us who are fortunate enough to be able to work remotely are under quarantine. We can’t stress enough how important it is for everyone to self-quarantine whether you are exhibiting symptoms or not. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as governments all over the world, are advising curfews, lockdowns and at the very least, self-quarantines. These efforts will reduce exposure significantly and is currently the best method to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Whether you enjoy working from home or absolutely hate it, it’s a reality a lot of us are facing now. At this time, we stress the importance of balance and mindfulness. This means doing what is necessary to take care of loved ones–children, elder family members, and those with immunodeficiencies–as well as yourself. It also means keeping your sanity by cracking a window or taking a walk outside (alone), or video chatting with friends to keep your sanity. Furthermore, it means setting yourself up for optimal productivity so that your performance doesn’t suffer after working from home for an extended period of time. Sound like the type of thing you need right now? Keep reading. 

Spring Cleaning

What better catalyst to clean than a widespread virus? Sorry, but there’s a little truth to this. Whether you were not well-versed in the advised methods of handwashing or if you were a germaphobe since the womb, cleaning the entire house should be the first and foremost task on your to-do list. Clean home, less to worry about. 

A little known truth is that cleaning and disinfection products require a “dwell time”. This means that the surface being cleaned should be well saturated and you should allow time for the product to work on the surface. Not necessarily wiping off the excess or using the surface right away. Read the manufacturer’s label before cleaning to ensure you’re following the proper method for maximum efficacy. 

If your home hasn’t undergone a great dusting in a while, now’s the time. Do a full sweep of the home and invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers filter dust, pollen, and smoke from the air and improve air quality.

Productivity

Working remotely has its perks like being able to work from the comfort of your bed, or getting to cuddle with your pup all day. On the other hand, some things become distractions and can impede your performance for work. Here are some helpful tips on how to stay productive when working from home. 

Get organized 

If you don’t typically work from home, this is imperative. At the office, you may have your usual routine set up and a way of doing things. Things might need to change or adjust for working remotely at home. Make sure you have all the essentials to keep you focused like a designated work area–be that a desk and a chair, or your kitchen bar. Do you usually have a whiteboard you work from at work? Get one for the home, or transition to a notebook instead. 

Another piece is putting a checklist of what you need to get done, or using your calendar more frequently to make sure you’re on top of your tasks. Leverage tools like Google Calendar, Evernote, and even a good old notebook or notepad to keep everything organized. 

Minimize distractions

Distractions can come from anywhere. Avoid turning your TV on while working (as tempting as it may be). If you’re not accustomed to listening to podcasts or music at work normally, don’t change that when you start working from home. If you normally have silence at work, invest in some good quality noise-canceling headphones to keep yourself focused. It’s always a good idea to clean up your workspace too. Clutter can cause distractions and cloud your mind. For some people, it induces stress–and nope, we don’t want that at all. Take some time to reorganize your space. Move to a different area of the home with the least distractions. Adjust as you go to make your work from home a better place to work. 

Check your posture

Fatigue is often distracting and can link to poor posture when working. Hence, why no one recommends working from your bed. Ever get neck cramps throughout the day or back pain that you can’t stop obsessing over? Yeah, not great for productivity! If possible, try to make your at-home workspace more ergonomic. That is, make sure that when you’re sitting, your feet are planted fully on the ground at a 90 degree angle. Sit up, keeping your spine and neck aligned. Your arms should be at a 90 degree angle when typing and your eyes should be looking straight ahead at your monitor. Additionally, be sure to take frequent breaks (especially if your current desk situation is sub-optimal). And we don’t mean to take breaks to go on Instagram. Take breaks to do some stretches to mitigate any chronic pain that can stem from a long workday with bad posture. 

Wellness

Your personal wellness is just as important as your professional output. As we’re adapting to at-home confinement, things can get a little lonely and hectic. That’s why we’re huge proponents of health and wellness–especially during this time. Remember to take care of your bodies even though gyms are closed. Drink lots of water, and do more things that make you happy (at home). 

Eat well 

One of the most important things you can do for your body right now is to eat well. We hope you’re not hoarding food because that will take away from someone who might need it more than you do, but it does mean being selective with what you put in your body. Adopting dietary habits that are geared toward nutrition will help boost your immune system and overall health. Need a reference point? Check out the Planetary Health Diet, an eating plan developed by a prestigious collective of scientists, nutritionists, and environmentalists as the optimal diet for both human and planetary health. If there are concerns to fill nutritional gaps, supplements are a great option to explore. 

Stay hydrated

Your body needs water, whether or not “feel” thirsty. Drinking an adequate amount of water will help your overall wellness and support your immune system. This is especially important in today’s world. Water flushes out toxins and other bacteria from your body that can cause illnesses. It also helps oxygen flow throughout your body. 

Whatever you’re drinking from, it’s especially important to clean it frequently–preferably at each refill. Why? Because bacteria can grow faster than you think in moist places. Yes, we’re talking about your mug, your tumbler, your water bottle, and yes your favorite baby Yoda glass. Check out this guide on how to clean your reusable water bottle to be sure you’re cleaning properly. If you’re not into all that cleaning or just want peace of mind that your drinking vessel is bacteria-free, we make these really cool self-cleaning bottles using PureVis™  technology. PureVis™ uses a non-toxic UV-C LED, which purifies water and sanitizes surfaces by eliminating bacteria and viruses. 

Meditate

In this stressful period, meditation can be helpful to help you maintain your sanity. There are so many things going on on top of this global pandemic–events and weddings being canceled, resource crisis, and bleak thoughts about what the future holds. Here’s a reminder that we can stay positive and be proactive about what we do now to ensure the best possible outcome. That includes keeping a good attitude, practicing mindfulness, being compassionate to others, and taking care of your own mental health through practices such as meditation or yoga. 

Exercise

In some areas, fitness clubs and gyms are closed as a result of recent developments regarding COVID-19. Even if you weren’t going to the gym really before, it’s important that you work this into your schedule more than ever. Since we’re not physically going anywhere, taking to the outdoors is a great way to work some much-needed vitamin D and exercise into your routine. Exercising releases endorphins that lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels. 

No matter where you are in the world, be compassionate to others and remember to wash your hands. We hope these tips help you work from home better and stay healthy while you’re at it! 

 

Categories
LARQ News

What is UV-C & How Does it Work?

UV-C light is widely utilized in hospitals to sterilize patient room surfaces as well as in municipal water supplies for decades. It is the invisible to the human eye, a worker-bee of the disinfecting world, and a key component in the LARQ Bottle, the world’s first self-cleaning water bottle.

So, what is UV-C?

UV-C is categorized under a range within the electromagnetic spectrum. You might be familiar with the Sun’s UVA and UVB rays, which have different properties due to each specified range.  UV-C falls within wavelengths of 200-280nm, which is a scientifically proven germicidal range. Hence, the use in hospitals and sanitization facilities.

How does UV-C work?

UV-C rays in the 200 -280nm range have been considered germicidal, which means it has the capability of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria by disrupting the chemical bonds in their DNA and rendering them unable to perform vital cell functions. In essence, UV-C light is killing the germ cells!

Previously, many assumed that 254nm was the optimal level for disinfection, however, this was based on a reliance on Mercury (toxic) vapors which peak at 254nm. To create a safer, non-toxic method of emitting UV-C, we digitized it using LED technology.  LED lasts 40x longer than traditional Mercury lamp counterparts, so it ensures the longevity of the product.  Through the use of UV-C LED, we are now able to harness the disinfecting power of UV-C light at 280nm which has been proven effective against E.coli, Salmonella, Staph, and MSRA, which are naked to the eyes but produce dire consequences to the human body.

While UV-C LED has a number of promising applications, water and surface disinfection are two practical uses where we are already seeing at work. For example, the LARQ Bottle uses a UV-C LED chip in the cap of the bottle to neutralize up to 99%* of bacteria such as E.coli in the water and the internal surface area of the bottle itself. Learn more.

When it comes to uses for UV-C LED, the opportunities are expansive and we are just getting started.

*Based on the elimination of 99.8% of E.coli in a 20-second cycle for all LARQ Bottles.

Categories
Wellness

Best practices for COVID-19 prevention amidst pandemic

source: unsplash. newspaper headlining news of coronavirus

The novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, struck the world more quickly than anticipated. Initial cases originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and since have spread to well over a dozen countries worldwide. In the beginning, there was questioning whether the virus would spread to other countries, but now it is a matter of when it will spread across the globe. 

What people need to know about COVID-19 is that it is a virus and it spreads like any other virus like influenza. According to the Center for Disease Control. COVID-19 is believed to spread through respiratory droplets produced when a person sneezes or coughs. These droplets can be inhaled into the lungs of nearby people. The spread of COVID-19 comes from close contact from person to person (about 6-feet in proximity). It is currently unknown if these pathogens can be spread from touching surfaces that have the virus on it and then touching your face, nose, or eyes, but err on the side of caution in any case. 

Places to avoid

Elevated risk of exposure is more likely with people who interact closely with potentially infected travelers. People who have encountered the following areas should take extra precaution:

  • healthcare facilities
  • deathcare facilities
  • airports & airline operations
  • border protection
  • solid waste and wastewater management

It’s important to be mindful if you, or someone you have regular contact with, spends time in these places, or if you or someone you know has traveled to areas where the virus is spreading.

Being in heavily populated areas with close proximity to others can be a cesspool for germs to spread. In general, avoid densely populated areas or public places as well as areas that infected travelers might visit. 

Prevention 

Currently, there is no vaccine for COVID-19. The best way to avoid contracting the virus is to avoid exposure to the best of your ability. If your current occupation makes it difficult or impossible to avoid contact with people, take these steps to prevent contracting illnesses like COVID-19: 

Clean your hands frequently

Believe it or not, people still don’t wash their hands as frequently as they should. Washing your hands more frequently can reduce the risk of respiratory infection by 16 percent! So, why wouldn’t you? 

But don’t just rinse–wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. That’s about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. If you get bored easily or feel weird about singing “Happy Birthday” to yourself 27 times a day, check out this list of 20-second song snippets to make handwashing thorough and fun. 

If you don’t have access to a sink and soap, use some hand sanitizer to clean your hands. The CDC recommends a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel completely dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands. 

Avoid close contact with others

As we mentioned before, COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person through airborne respiratory droplets that may be inhaled into the lungs. Stay away from others when possible, wear an N95 mask if you are sick or in a crowd, and avoid situations in densely populated areas. 

Prevent others from getting sick

If you have a strong immune system, good for you, but you still need to stay home if you are sick to protect others who may have compromised immune systems. Self-quarantine yourself to ensure that others around you don’t get sick. If you think that you may have contracted COVID-19, you must notify a medical professional. Call your primary care physician or a nearby medical office to let them know your concerns before visiting so that they can take the necessary precautions. 

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Germs can spread like wildfire if we don’t practice good hygiene. This includes covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and disposing of the used tissue in a lined trash can. This will prevent respiratory droplets from being inhaled by neighboring people. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after coughing or sneezing for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. 

Wear a face mask

The surgeon general urges people to stop buying masks unless absolutely necessary. If you are sick or if you are caring for someone who is, please wear a mask. Mass purchases of masks have caused a shortage of these necessary resources from facilities that desperately need them. However, if you are indeed sick, you should wear a face mask to prevent respiratory particulates from entering the air and into someone else’s lungs. 

Clean and disinfect

Although there is no definitive answer to whether or not you can contract COVID-19 from touching contaminated surfaces, you should clean and disinfect common areas frequently as a precaution. Use cleaning products that eliminate bacteria. If you’re using a reusable cloth, be sure to wash it thoroughly before touching or reusing it again. Always toss disposable disinfecting wipes into lined trash cans promptly after using. 

Stay healthy

A strong immune system will prevent you from getting sick, so adopting wellness practices are always a good idea. Be sure to get the recommended six to eight hours of sleep per night, drink lots of water, and eat your fruits and vegetables. 

On the topic of drinking water, try not to share your drinks with others. Keeping your LARQ Bottle handy is especially helpful during this time because the UV-C will keep the water inside your bottle and the inner surfaces free of any bacteria or viruses. UV-C disinfection technology has been around for decades and used in water treatment facilities as well as hospitals for sterilization purposes. Our UV-C LED technology is projected at an optimum wavelength of 280 nanometers, which categorizes as germicidal. This triggers a photochemical reaction that destroys the DNA of bacteria and viruses, rendering them inactive and unable to harm you. We’ve harnessed this technology in our bottles, providing safe and effective water purification on the go. The bottle also activates the 10-second Self-cleaning mode automatically every 2 hours so you don’t have to worry about what’s growing in your bottle. If you don’t have a LARQ Bottle and are using another reusable option, be sure to wash your bottle frequently and properly as bacteria and viruses and grow exponentially between washes. 

Staying healthy will help you fight off illnesses in the event that you do contract something, so it’s more important than ever to pay attention to your health and overall wellness. 

Categories
Sustainability

Step up your sustainable shoe game

Photo by Cody Board on Unsplash

More than 20 billion pairs of shoes have been produced worldwide. On average, one shoe produces 30 pounds of carbon dioxide. Plus, it takes on average 30 to 40 years to decompose. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Americans alone throw away at least 300 million pairs of shoes per year. That’s a lot of waste. 

If you reflect on how many shoes you’ve purchased in your lifetime–we’re talking from the time you could even crawl or walk ‘til now–how many shoes do you think you’ve gone through? Where did those old shoes go? 

On the bright side, sustainability has become a priority with many companies, big and small, and there’s a huge demand for more sustainable footwear and sustainable practices. 

Textiles

It’s no secret that the textile industry is a primary contributor to pollution on a global scale. The processing that it takes to produce new textiles requires an abundance of resources and results in a large carbon footprint. Likewise with footwear, producing these new textiles is extremely wasteful, but companies are starting to change this by finding carbon-neutral solutions such as using wool or natural fibers instead of synthetic. 

Rubber

Another main component of shoes is rubber to form rubber outsoles. The majority of shoes produced use synthetic rubber. This results in the release of more waste than the volume of rubber output. The danger of this is that the process of making synthetic rubbers forms volatile organic compounds that include suspected carcinogens. We don’t have to tell you the adverse effects of these, now do we? Cariuma, a footwear brand from Rio, Brazil, uses natural rubber found in the hevea brasiliensis tree. By ethically tapping hevea brasiliensis trees to harvest the milky sap, the unharmed trees can continue to live and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen for us. This is a model example of how to reduce the environmental impact of footwear, but it’s a rare case in the shoe industry. 

Recycled Plastic

Other companies in the shoe industry are making moves to reduce their footprint by recycling post-consumer plastics. We can’t inform people enough that 1 million single-use plastic bottles are being used and tossed away per minute. After decades of this kind of gross use of single-use plastic bottles, we’re up to our eyeballs in it. Rothy’s, a women and children’s shoe company, makes shoes from recycled plastic bottles. Post-consumer plastic bottles are taken through a process that spins them into a thread that they work into a textile for shoes. Allbirds, another sustainable shoe company, makes sleek shoelaces from plastic bottles too.

Natural Materials

Moreover, Allbirds also uses better-for-the-planet materials to make the rest of their shoes. Materials like insoles made of merino wool produced using castor oil instead of petroleum-based foam. Or, their carbon negative green EVA called SweetFoam™, made from Brazilian sugarcane instead of synthetic rubber.

Closing the loop

Another piece is closing the loop on footwear altogether. Nike is a star example of this. They have been recycling shoes for a while now. In fact, 71% of Nike’s footwear and apparel products are made with Nike Grind, their trademarked recycled textiles. Yes, your beloved Flyknit Vapormax’s are made from recycled materials! They also offer a recycling program, Reuse-a-shoe, where anyone can drop off their old shoes for Nike to recycle and produce new ones. What better way to recycle your old shoes than with the sportswear giant that can turn them into premium performance gear? In addition to Nike’s commitment to go zero waste, Nike also launched a new footwear collection aptly named “Space Hippie”, an exploratory collection inspired by life on Mars. The collection marries sustainable practices and radical design. Space Hippie is made from scraps they call “Space Junk” that includes at least 85% rPoly made from recycled plastic water bottles, t-shirts, and yarn scraps. 

Luckily, more and more brands are adopting sustainable practices and going zero waste. We’re hoping to see this trend skyrocket in the coming years.