We don't realize how much we can influence the environment even in everyday life. For every meter rubber route and with every step of our shoes, a small piece of plastic is added to the environment. These micro fragments, invisible to the human eye, are a silent threat to our planet and our health. They finish everywhere, also in our blood, and in the placenta of a mom. What if, instead of contributing to the problem, every step we take could become part of the solution? Here's where it comes into play Shell, a cleantech startup that is turning food scraps like banana peels and nut shells into compostable shoe soles. A step forward, literally, towards a more sustainable future.
An underestimated problem
The soles of our shoes are a small but significant contributor to the production of pollution around the world. Most of them are based on petroleum-based plastic. And this means, you know, that every time we walk or run we are involuntarily dispersing microplastics into the surrounding environment, contaminating soil, air and water.
The Swiss startup Shell wants to replace traditional plastics with biobased and biodegradable versions. And the first application of this vision starts from a small step: what the soles of our shoes do, obviously. The bioplastic developed for them, obtained from food waste, is compostable in just 90 days. An extraordinary result that could significantly reduce microplastic pollution.
Beyond the soles: a future of possibilities
Shell obviously it doesn't stop at the soles of the shoes. It recently secured €2,3 million in funding that will allow it to expand its reach and strengthen its supply chains. The technology developed by the company has enormous potential. Imagine a world where food waste is no longer a problem, but a precious resource. Where every piece of waste can have a second life, transforming into something useful and sustainable.
Apart from the cases of greenwashing, however, these brilliant Swiss are not the only ones looking solutions sustainable in the fashion world. Other innovators are creating amazing products out of waste: “vegan” leather made from packaging, or bags made (in Italy, yeah!) with old fishing nets. It's a really interesting creative moment for those who believe in a greener and more sustainable future.
From food waste to tomorrow's value
When it comes to the future, it's clear that every little step counts. Thanks to innovations such as those of Shell, we can start walking with greater awareness, knowing that we are contributing to a better world. And remember, every time you choose a sustainable solution, you're making a difference. Next time you're choosing shoes, think about where they might take you.
And how you will get there.
