Allbirds, Blumaka and Circ have unveiled the Remix line, claiming to produce the first shoes in the world that incorporate recycled materials sourced from polycotton waste through a textile-to-textile recycling process. The collection features two designs, the Runner NZ Remix and Cruiser Remix, built from a blend of recycled foam midsole scraps and Circ’s textile-to-textile upper materials.
Key details:
– Midsole and foam recycling: Blumaka transforms recycled athletic footwear foam scraps into a high-quality recycled foam blend used for the Remix midsole. This approach markedly reduces water use by 99% and cuts carbon emissions by 65% compared with traditional foam production methods, while delivering durability, comfort and performance.
– Textile-to-textile upper: The Remix line uses Circ’s hydrothermal recycling technique to isolate and retrieve cotton and polyester fibers from mixed fabric waste. The resulting Circ Filament Lyocell, made from recycled textile waste, is used in the upper and is described as having a high-quality appearance and texture comparable to new synthetic materials.
– Waste context: The project addresses a major challenge in the global shoe industry, where midsole foam production alone generates about 344,000 tonnes of waste annually, much of which ends up discarded. The collaboration aims to divert waste from landfills by reprocessing it into new footwear components.
Statements from leadership:
– Blumaka CEO Stuart Jenkins emphasized the partnership’s emphasis on turning waste foam into elite-level products, saying, “Our process produces elite-level products with proven durability and comfort. Allbirds Remix shows that waste foam isn’t a problem — it’s an opportunity. Better for people. Better for the planet.”
– Circ CEO Peter Majeranowski called the collaboration a milestone in proving that textile-to-textile recycling can scale beyond apparel and into high-performance footwear, adding that using Circ Filament Lyocell from recycled textile waste demonstrates that circular materials can look, feel and perform better for the planet.
– Allbirds chief design officer Adrian Nyman framed the project within the company’s broader innovation ethos, noting that Remix embodies a commitment to sustainable design that enhances both look and feel.
Context and outlook:
– This launch builds on Allbirds’ decade of sustainability breakthroughs and partnerships, including high-profile projects like Adidas’ Futurecraft.Footprint and the net-zero carbon M0.0NSHOT Zero shoe, reinforcing a growing industry shift toward circular materials and material-conscious design in footwear.
– By combining a recycled foam midsole with a textile-to-textile upper, the Remix line illustrates a holistic approach to circularity, where both major components of the shoe are derived from recycled inputs and processed to minimize environmental impact.
Additional value and considerations:
– The collaboration highlights potential efficiency gains in supply chains for recycled materials, though scaling such textile-to-textile processes for broader mass market adoption will depend on supply availability, cost, and consumer demand.
– If successful, this model could spur further cross-industry partnerships between recyclers and footwear brands to expand the use of recycled inputs without compromising style, comfort or performance.
Summary:
The Remix line from Allbirds, Blumaka and Circ represents a notable step in circular fashion, combining recycled foam from discarded footwear with textile-to-textile recycled upper materials to produce two high-performance sneakers. With substantial reductions in water use and carbon emissions and a commitment to material circularity, the project aims to prove that sustainable design can coexist with quality and style. The initiative signals a hopeful direction for the footwear industry’s approach to waste and resource stewardship.