Plastic Shoes... Love It or Leave It?

... Love It!

So after I posted about 3D-knitted shoes made from plastic bottles last week, I bit the bullet, and ordered a pair. I got these guys, because the cute red ones were out of stock in my size:

They are surprisingly comfortable and breathable. You would never know they are plastic from the feel. They feel just like any other woven fabric. With the rubber base and "fabric" upper, these feel like socks with a little extra bounce. No squished toes here!

I'm pretty stoked that they are made from 100% recycled upper and 100% recyclable inner. And, that they're washable with removable insoles - cause let's be honest, flats get stanky.

Finally, I get all my packages delivered to the office. So, as I'm squealing about my new 3D-kntted shoes, my bosses come out to see what 3D knitting is about, and both comment on the look of the shoes too. Two Italian guys call my shoes stylish? I'll take it. :)

Is 3-D printing and knitting the next thing in recycling?

Popular Science just shared this video of this cool family's project:



The video's just a minute long, but if you need to visit it later: the family collects wasted plastic, breaks it down, and extrudes it (pushes it into a thin spaghetti like line) that the children wind into basket shapes. This is a similar process to the 3D doodlers you may have seen as craft toys to build little sculptures.

If you want to support these kids in their awesome upcycling, bookmark their website. It looks like they are still working on getting their baskets up for sale. Still, kudos for exploring the technology and coming up with several basket designs!

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Using a bit of a different method, the Rothy's shoe uses 3-D knitting. A while back a few different people pointed me to this shoe:

What's cool about this shoe and the process is, these are made out of recycled water bottles, which are broken down into super fine threads, then machine knit into a variety of patterns. At $125, these are a splurge for ballet flats, but I'm super intrigued by the upcycling, the technology, and the promise that they are "soft like a sock". Who knew water bottles could be made soft? I may just need to take the plunge and try these as my spring flats.

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From the more crafty to the more high-tech, melting down and reforming plastics into new objects could be a win. I can't wait to see other methods and technologies like this emerge.

Reuse: Outfit #7

I'm sitting here, eating my French toast breakfast, look down, and realize my whole outfit is recycled. (The French toast itself was a win. We'd gotten a loaf of French bread to dip into some beef stew earlier in the week. French toast is a great way to use up the getting-stale remainder.)

Anywho, I look down, and realize my super soft skinny jeans are from Buy Nothing, and my top is from Goodwill. The layering tank underneath is also from Buy Nothing, so the whole outfit set me back $12.99. Success!

Riders by Lee jeans: Cost: $0, approx. retail cost $20
Espresso top: Cost $13, approx. retail cost: $30
Savings: $37

Buying in Bulk/Refills

I'd been toying with this idea for a while, when a comment on a post about reducing consumption on The Story of Stuff convinced me to do some more research. (Haven't heard of The Story of Stuff yet? Check them out - they are a short film, blog, resources, and more targeted at reducing consumption and waste.)

So, back to the idea: At grocery stores, there are the bulk bins for nuts and grains. Use a lightweight plastic bag from the store, or better yet, bring your own bag. Packaging is significantly reduced, or even eliminated, when you buy in bulk like this. Often, you'll even save money, because you're not paying for the packaging. And, you reduce product waste by buying the amount you want.

What if we could buy anything in bulk in our own containers? Specifically, I've been thinking about the major source of plastic trash in my home: toiletry bottles. What if I could bring my Dove body wash bottle back to Target and just fill it back up? Or my shampoo and conditioner?
 

It turns out, like most ideas, someone has already thought of it. Or, in this case, many someones. :) While not available for every brand or common in most big box stores, here are a few of the stores that do refills for bath and body products, household cleaners, and laundry detergent:

Green11
Brands/Partners: Copper Moon Apothecary, Alaffia, Alba Botanica, Earth Science, Earthbath, Eco Bella, EO, Everyday Shea, Giovanni, Green11, Griffin Remedy, Nature's Gate, Shikai, Uncle Harry's, ZUM
Locations: San Francisco and San Mateo, CA

Common Good
Brands/Partners: Common Good
Locations: New York based, but many (use their website's store locator). For my followers in the Northwest, there is one in Tacoma, WA

PCC Natural Markets
Brands/Partners: Alaffia, Everyday Shea, Hugo, Oregon Soap Co, Dr. Bronners
Locations: several in King County, WA

The Soap Dispensary

Brands/Partners: Live for Tomorrow, Sapadilla, The Soap Exchange, Nature Clean, BioKleen, Dr. Bronner's, Carina Organics, Foster Naturals, The Soap Dispensary Brand, Eaternal Soap Nuts, Uncle Harry's, Savon De Marseille, Lunapads, Divacup, Yosh Konjac, Kishu Binchotan, Ancient Minerals Ever Bamboo, Environmental Toothbrush, The Copper Hat, Mokulock, Natursutten, Ball Jars, Abeego, gogoBags, Ecojarz, Lunchbots, Ecobags, Ulat Dryer Balls

Locations: Vancouver, BC

Attached to your current brands that aren't listed above? Buy the largest bottle you can find, and refill smaller containers for around your house or in your travel bag - you'll end up saving a large percentage of the plastic packaging, get a better cost per ounce, and save gas and time with less trips to the store. 

Example savings using current pricing at Target for Pantene shampoo:
12 oz bottle: $0.32/oz
28 oz bottle: $0.25/oz
22% savings per ounce

Oceans: Part 2, Art from our Trash

In Oceans: Part 1, we talked about the insane amount of plastic waste in the oceans and a few ways we can reduce our own negative contributions. 

The Washed Ashore Project responds to this waste with a few solutions. The project started with artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi, who wanted to do something with the plastic polluting Oregon beaches. She uses the litter gathered by volunteers to create giant sculptures of marine life. 

(Image ©WashedAshore.org)

These sculptures are created from all sorts of debris, that you may or may not expect to see discarded in the ocean - from bottles and bottle caps to beach toys, toothbrushes, shoes, lighters, sunglasses, and more.

In addition to creating the sculptures, the Washed Ashore Project has become a full-fledged educational program with staff and volunteers. The sculptures go on exhibit at zoos, aquariums, and museums to teach the public about pollution, conservation, and our ocean life. 

(Image ©WashedAshore.org)

If you are in the Pacific Northwest, you have some opportunities to see these in person this year: 

The Washed Ashore Project's home is in Bandon, OR with regular open hours Thursdays-Saturdays.
They are also going to be on exhibit at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, WA starting 4/17.

How you can get involved:

• Visit the project's website or Facebook page. 
• Visit the Bandon, OR workshop to participate in the process. 
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle your own plastic, and make sure to pack out your trash at beaches and parks.