Making sustainable sneakers that are durable, comfortable, and recyclable. That’s what Thousand Fell does!
Based in New York City, the team is dedicated to championing the circular economy. Their designs incorporate many of the key principles of circular design, including;
- Designing out waste and pollution by using sustainable materials with low carbon footprints
- Keeping products and materials in use by making quality durable products
- Regenerating natural systems through closed-loop recycling
Thousand Fell dream of a better tomorrow and are on a mission to empower the community to step up. They have a family-owned factory in Brazil where they source many local ingredients. They use materials that are responsibly sourced and are either biodegradable, recyclable, or upcycled.
Thousand Fell: Recycled Material
Thousand Fell uses many different materials in their sneakers including:
- Recycled bottles for uppers, mesh liners, and laces.
- Recycled Rubber for their insole
They also use many natural materials like:
- Natural rubber for the outsole
- Aloe Vera coating gives the shoes a soft feel and combats bacteria
- Castor beans are used to make a breathable foam.
- They replace the plastic component parts often found in footwear with coconut husks, sugar cane, and locally sourced palm leaf fibers from food waste in Brazil.
- Quartz is used to help add a water-resistant coating to their shoes.
Closing the Loop
Not only have they embraced the use of sustainable and recycled materials in their design, but they also partner with TerraCycle to provide a closed-loop recycling program for their sneakers. They have designed their shoes to use specific materials that can easily be taken apart and can all have a second life.
You can drop off or send your once loved Thousand Fell sneakers to their facility in New Jersey. For your efforts, you will receive $20 recycling cash back towards a new pair.
Certifications
Thousand Fell is almost a certified B-Corp, their certification is currently pending.
They are also part of the Textile Exchange, a global nonprofit representing leading brands, retailers and suppliers.
Other Kudos
- Their factory is small, which allows them to keep excess inventory low and quality high.
- They are a member of 1% for the Planet, funding projects and nonprofits that give back to the environment.
- They also partner with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
- Thousand Fell have carbon and water offsets to replenish the materials that they use.