Puma Debuts 100 Percent Recycled Kicks

Photo: Puma

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last 40 years, you’ve probably seen the Puma Suede shoe more than a few times.

Famous for its bright colors and unique lacing, the Puma Suede has been a fashion must-have for musicians and “cool kids” alike since it first came on the scene in 1968.

And now, the iconic shoe is going recycled.

The Puma “Re-Suede,” which debuted on Friday, is a retooled version of the brand’s go-to shoe that is made from 100 percent recycled materials.

The brand banished animal products from its new shoe by replacing natural suede with a synthetic ultra-suede material made from 100 percent recycled polyester fibers.

The polyester is produced by a chemical recycling process that reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 80 percent compared to the production of virgin materials.

The Puma Re-Suede outsole is made from Double R Rice Rubber, which combines recycled rubber with a rice husk filler, decreasing the amount of rubber needed and greatly reducing energy use in manufacturing.

But the eco benefits of these redesigned kicks don’t stop there.

The new shoe is unusually lightweight (weighing in at less than 5 ounces), which reduces fossil fuel needed for transportation. An estimated 15 tons of carbon emissions are saved for every 10,000 pairs shipped, according to the company.

The shoes will also be sold in Puma’s Clever Little Bag, which aims to reduce the paper waste associated with traditional shoeboxes.

Comprised of a cardboard insert and a reusable canvas mini-tote, the Clever Little Bag takes 65 percent less paper to make and reduces water, energy and diesel consumption during manufacturing by more than 60 percent per year, according to the company.

The Re-Suede shoe is not yet available for purchase online, but stay on the lookout for it over the coming weeks.