From coffee grounds to beet–there's nothing that can't be used for the sneaker of tomorrow. Here's a round-up of the most innovative sneaker styles.
Rens Original: Coffee sneaker 
Rens Original is the Finnish label behind the ’World’s first sneakers made from used coffee grounds and recycled plastic bottles’–as the founders claim. To create the material, the used coffee grounds are carbonized, then blended with recycled PET from used water bottles which are then combined through an high-pressure, low-heat process. From the mixture, the coffee yarn for the sneakers is created. The shoes feature a membrane made of recycled polyester while every pair weighs between 400g and 650g.
Axel Arigato: Apex Runner 
Axel Arigato launches its new Apex Runner sneaker on 18 February–the first design by the Swedish sneaker label of the new ’21 sustainable initiative "Reinvented". The knitted upper is made of recycled polyester yarn and GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified. The ultra-light rubber sole is made from a renewable sugarcane raw material from Brazil and recycled rubber material.
Saucony: Jazz Court RFG 
In March, US sneaker brand Saucony launches the Jazz Court RFG, its ‘most sustainable sneaker’ ever. Cotton, jute, wool, rubber, wood, gardenia and beets are the seven materials from which the shoes are made. Plastic, synthetic glue and petroleum derivatives are not used.
F65.0: Parker & Jahn 
German sneaker label F65.0 has moved its production completely to Portugal, slightly optimized the existing portfolio and has launched two new running models: for the Parker style, the green material components are elaborately obtained from old, original army parkas in an upcycling process and thus make virtually every model unique. The second addition is the Jahn model: the handmade sneaker is made of vegetable-tanned sports equipment leather.
Jack Wolfskin: Ecostride 
The upper material of Jack Wolfskin's Ecostride sneaker is made of undyed hemp, for the lining the outdoor brand uses cotton and the insole is made of cork and Bio-Eva, which is obtained from sugar cane. The sole uses recycled rubber. To reduce waste, the eyelets were not provided with a metal ring, but are robustly stitched.
Nike: Cosmic Unity 
The Nike Cosmic Unity, Nike’s first performance shoe under its Move to Zero initiative (the company’s journey toward zero waste and zero carbon), is a basketball sneaker made with at least 25 percent recycled content by weight and featuring a full-length Zoom Air Strobel unit for responsiveness.
Rens Original: Coffee sneaker
Photo: Rens Original
Rens Original 'coffee' sneaker
Axel Arigato: Apex Runner
Photo: Axel Arigato
Axel Arigato Apex Runner
Saucony: Jazz Court RFG
Photo: Saucony
Saucony's Jazz Court RFG
F65.0: Parker & Jahn
Photo: F65.0
The 'Parker' by F65.0
Photo: F65.0
Jahn sneaker by F65.0
Jack Wolfskin: Ecostride
Photo: Jack Wolfskin
Ecostride sneaker by Jack Wolfskin
Nike: Cosmic Unity
Photo: Nike
Nike's Cosmic Unity sneaker
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