- Danielle Wightman-Stone
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Footwear brand Aldo is launching RPPL, its first sustainable shoe
collection with trainers featuring a recycled knit upper and algae foam
outsole, as part of its wider commitment towards a more sustainable
future.
Launching on August 26, the collection will include lace-up and loafer
style trainers in three colours – red, black and grey, for both men and
women.
The material components of the RPPL trainer include recycled plastic
water bottles developed through a recycled knit. The use of the recycled
knit reduces the need to extract new raw materials and diverts plastics
from landfills, adds the brand.
In addition, the trainers feature an innovative durable rubble sole made
from fresh-water harming algae biomass, which has natural thermoplastic
properties. Algae is a highly renewable plant source that is capable of
doubling in size every 24 hours, explains Aldo, and by using in the
collection it states it helping to “rebalance the ecosystem from algae
overpopulation which is often caused by factors such as global warming and
pollution”.
The making of each pair of trainers recycles 4 plastic bottles, filters
100 litres of freshwater from algae pollution and prevents 1.8 kilograms of
CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
The Aldo RPPL trainers will be available in-store and online and will be
priced 70 pounds for women, and 80 pounds for men.
The introduction of a sustainable collection follows the retailer’s
bagless initiative to eliminate single-use shopping bags in its stores in
Canada, the US and the UK. In addition, the project will see Aldo
introducing a new shoebox that will be eco-designed with a built-in
paper-made rope to facilitate transport and ultimately eliminate bag use.
The shoe box will completely recyclable and made from 80 percent
post-consumer recycled materials.
In 2018, the Aldo Group was certified climate neutral by offsetting 100
percent of the carbon emissions produced in 2017 through the company’s
corporate stores, offices and distribution centres.
Images: courtesy of Aldo
