Plastic-free shoes called the ‘Abaca’, which are being described as a ‘breakthrough’ thanks to their innovative materials, are set to make their UK debut
According to the makers of the footwear, PURIFIED, the eco-friendly shoes are ‘designed to exist within the earth’s natural cycle’.
It follows four years of R&D, ‘exploring materials from the Filipino highlands to the biotech labs of America’.
The shoe, created by London-based brand founder Will Verona, is bioneutral and also enriches soil at the end of its life.
This is in stark contrast to the more than 25 billion shoes which are produced annually, and normally destined for landfill.
According to PURIFIED, its debut shoe ‘aims to address the environmental crisis perpetuated by the modern shoe industry, without sacrificing style or comfort’.
The Abaca is crafted with help from sustainable canvas cultivators, Bananatex, described as ‘plastic-free pioneers’ and ‘artisan shoemakers’ in Portugal, who co-developed a new glue-free binding system.
PURIFIED notes that ‘the ABACA was designed with the entire product life cycle in mind’.
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The Abaca's upper is made from Bananatex, which is a textile canvas woven from fibres derived from Abaca plants (a type of banana plant native to the Philippines). Photo © PURIFIED
The Abaca
The Abaca’s upper is made from Bananatex, which is a textile canvas woven from fibres derived from Abaca plants (a type of banana plant native to the Philippines).
According to PURIFIED, Abaca plants are ‘self-reliant, requiring neither watering nor the use of pesticides’.
Once harvested, fibres from their stalks are woven at source to create Bananatex.
The material is ‘naturally durable, tough and water-resistant material with a luxury feel’. It is also a Cradle to Cradle Gold Certified® material.
Meanwhile, the Abaca shoe’s inner ‘features a comfort system inspired by the motion of waves, designed to adapt to the natural movement of the foot’.
PURIFIED says: “The tread is inspired by patterns found in brain coral, which reduces the shoe’s weight while enhancing its grip.”
After the shoes reach the end of their wearable life, they can be composted, with tests showing that after 90 days in soil, plants can grow better in that soil under certain conditions than in regular compost.
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After the 'breakthrough' shoes reach the end of their wearable life, they can be composted. Photo © PURIFIED
‘Rethinking how shoes can be made’
In a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living, PURIFIED founder Will Verona said: “On a factory visit to Sri Lanka, I saw the ugly reality of the landfill crisis up close, chancing upon a toxic heap of waste known as ‘trash mountain’.
“I knew something needed to change, and in 2020 I began this journey to rethink the way shoes could be made.
“Thanks to the help of our partners…we are now launching a product we are incredibly proud of.
“At PURIFIED we aim to inspire a return to earth with our shoes, but also by championing a wider philosophy inspiring connection and care for our planet.”
The ABACA is available to purchase on the PURIFIED website or in The Mills Fabrica building next to King’s Cross Station in London on May 12.
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Featured photo © Alessandra Maeda via Adobe Stock, composition by VFL
