Lifestyle footwear brand Allbirds, in collaboration with Blumaka and Circ, is tackling waste by repurposing materials destined for landfills into two new shoe designs under the Remix line.
Blumaka focuses on transforming recycled foam into footwear and Circ is a textile-to-textile recycling company.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Remix features two designs: the Runner NZ Remix and Cruiser Remix.
The partners focused on sustainable practices by converting mixed textile remnants and foam offcuts into fresh footwear offerings.
The global shoe industry is responsible for a considerable amount of production waste, with the midsole foam production alone results in approximately 344,000 tonnes of waste each year, according to Allbirds.
However, much of this premium-grade foam is not utilised and ends up being discarded.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThese materials, typically non-biodegradable and challenging to recycle, contribute to landfill mass where they can take extensive periods to break down while releasing toxic substances such as methane.
The Remix shoes feature midsoles from Blumaka made from recycled athletic footwear foam scraps that are processed and moulded into a high-quality recycled foam blend.
This innovative method significantly reduces water usage by 99% and cuts carbon emissions by 65% compared to conventional foam production methods.
Moreover, it yields a product that surpasses standard expectations in terms of durability, comfort, and performance.
Blumaka CEO Stuart Jenkins said: “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.”
The Remix line is claimed to be the first in the world to incorporate textile-to-textile recycled materials derived from polycotton waste through Circ’s hydrothermal recycling technique, which isolates and retrieves cotton and polyester fibres from mixed fabric clothing, according to Allbirds.
The textile produced through this method offers a high-quality appearance and texture that is comparable to new synthetic materials, stated the company.
Allbirds chief design officer Adrian Nyman said: “To us, ‘better things in a better way’ means that we’re not tied to one technology or one method of making–we have a limitless curiosity that inspires us to explore unexpected approaches. Remix is the next step in our innovation journey, delivering on sustainable design that enhances both look and feel.”
This launch builds on Allbirds’ ten-year history of sustainable breakthroughs, which includes collaborations such as Futurecraft.Footprint with Adidas, an ultra-low carbon footprint running shoe and M0.0NSHOT Zero, hailed as the world’s first net-zero carbon shoe crafted with carbon-negative regenerative wool.
Circ CEO Peter Majeranowski said: “This collaboration with Allbirds marks a major milestone in proving that textile-to-textile recycling can scale beyond apparel and into high-performance footwear.
“By using Circ Filament Lyocell from recycled textile waste as part of the upper for the Remix, we’re showing that circular materials don’t require compromise, they can look better, feel better, and do better for the planet. This is the future of fashion, and we’re proud to help lead the way.”
