GOLETA, Calif.—Sanuk is taking another step toward sustainability with the launch of its new footwear line, SustainaSole.
The collection, which incorporates recycled polyurethane foam, includes two slip-on styles: Donna for women and Chiba for men. Both are being sold for $65.
"SustainaSole's mission is to provide a sustainable footwear solution, divert waste and give new life to materials which would otherwise be discarded," Seth Pulford, director of marketing at Sanuk said in a statement. "We're stoked to design our most eco-friendly shoe to date as a company and introduce a new concept in footwear."
The company claims that a major barrier to eco-friendly shoes is the foam base that gives comfort and support. It collaborated with sole specialist Blumaka to integrate its recycled foam technology into the shoes, with the bottom unit consisting of 35 percent recycled foam by weight and 75 percent by volume.
"This is a big step forward in Sanuk's journey to create a more sustainable future," Sanuk General Manager Erik Ecklund said in a news release. "SustainaSole was made with love for humans that respect our planet as much as we do. We hope that our customers will come along for the ride as we continue to innovate and attempt to reduce our footprint."
The Ortholite sockliner also includes recycled polyurethane components. The top layer is a 2mm foam, made from 15 percent recycled and 80 percent virgin PU foam plus 5 percent recycled rubber powder, while the bottom layer is a 3mm foam, containing 98 percent recycled and 2 percent virgin PU foam.
Founded in 1997, Sanuk is a division of Deckers Brands, which sells its products in more than 50 countries and territories worldwide.