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Nike's "garbage" shoes: Air Mary Shelleys?

By Rain Noe - March 17, 2008

in Object Culture

As part of their "Considered Design" mandate, Nike has come up with a clever way to turn production scraps from their own factories into a complete shoe. The Nike Trash Talk (yep, that's the name) uses Frankenstyle stitching so that even tiny scraps can be incorporated into the uppers; the midsoles are made from scrap foam; and the outsoles are made from "environmentally-preferred rubber."

Currently available only in New York and New Orleans, the Trash Talks will go nationwide with Footlocker in April. And at 100 bucks a pop, they pass the savings onto...well, somebody, but not us!

Learn more about Nike's sustainability initiatives here.

via inhabitat

thanks jill!

o

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Megan

16 years ago

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Even if they have ethical problems, it's still a step in the right direction. You gotta fix one problem at a time, right? (Granted, human labor issues should be fixed first, but it looks like much can't be done to change that as of right now)

I'm glad that companies are thinking about using scrap pieces. :)
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zikit

16 years ago

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When looking at the "trash" you have to wonder how much more work derives from the new design.
Sustainability my foot...
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Bentply

16 years ago

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Good looking shoe. A step in the right direction i guess. Probably won't erase the other inherent ethical problems with their method of manufacture and product development though. Keep at it Nike.
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Ranga

16 years ago

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Shoenista you are missing the point. Sustainability shouldn't just be for "eco-warriors." It should be for everyone. Thank goodness one big firm is starting to think about its ecological footprint. It is but a start... hopefully soon more firms will be following in their footsteps.
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shoenista

16 years ago

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But would the Nike customer be interested in sustainability and vice versa? All of the eco warriors I know would not be seen dead in Nike.
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