Nike has just introduced the ISPA Link Axis, marking its first step into creating a fully recyclable shoe, showcasing the brand’s commitment to innovation.
Every part of the Link Axis can be recycled, thanks to its unique design using interlocking components and avoiding glue altogether. Notably, the shoe features a 100 per cent recycled polyester Flyknit upper and 100 per cent recycled TPU tooling, achieved by using leftover airbag materials. Additionally, a 20 per cent recycled TPU cage adds to its eco-friendly features.
For the Link Axis, the ISPA team considered the circular design principle of “disassembly,” or the ability to easily take a product apart to recycle its components, one of the more challenging principles to implement in footwear design. A good shoe is flexible and durable. Traditionally, designers use glue and other bonding elements to achieve these aims, but that makes a shoe nearly impossible to disassemble and recycle. Recycling shoes usually requires shredding, an energy-intensive process that limits how the recycled materials can be used. Creating a shoe that can be taken apart would reduce the carbon footprint of the product and open up new possibilities for its life cycle.
The Link Axis, available in Total Orange and Sonic Yellow, marks a significant stride toward sustainability in footwear and will be released on SNKRS on September 12.