Allbirds has partnered with foam recycler Blumaka and textile-to-textile recycling company Circ to create a line of footwear made with recycled materials.
Dubbed Remix, the line incorporates blended textile waste and foam scraps into new shoes.
The Remix collection includes two styles—Runner NZ Remix and Cruiser Remix—and is the first shoe line made with recycled materials derived from poly-cotton waste. The material is made using Virginia-based Circ’s proprietary hydrothermal recycling process that separates and recovers cotton and polyester fibers from blended garments. The recycler announced this spring that it plans to open its first commercial scale facility in France by 2028.
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Remix shoes also are made with Blumaka midsoles, which are created using reclaimed foam scraps from athletic footwear manufacturing that are then ground and molded into a recycled foam blend. The process uses 99 percent less water and emits 65 percent fewer carbon emissions than traditional foam production.
“Allbirds is demonstrating that the world doesn’t need more foam—it needs smarter use of existing resources,” said Stuart Jenkins, CEO of Blumaka. “We don’t recycle trash—we reclaim the most advanced foam ever made and improve upon it. Our process produces elite-level products with proven durability and comfort. Allbirds Remix shows that waste foam isn’t a problem—it’s an opportunity. Better for people. Better for the planet.”
According to Allbirds, the footwear industry produces 34,000 tons of waste annually—enough material to craft 2.5 million midsoles—in the form of waste-trimmings, shavings and dust from the cutting and shaping process.
The Remix line is the latest of Allbirds’ styles designed to be more sustainable than conventional footwear options currently dominating the market.
Previously, the company created an ultra-low carbon running shoe in partnership with Adidas called Futurecraft.Footprint. And most recently, the company launched what it calls the world’s first net-zero carbon shoe made with carbon-negative regenerative wool.
“To us, ‘better things in a better way’ means that we’re not tied to one technology or one method of making—we have a limitless curiosity that inspires us to explore unexpected approaches,” said Adrian Nyman, chief design officer at Allbirds. “Remix is the next step in our innovation journey, delivering on sustainable design that enhances both look and feel.”
For its part, Circ has collaborated with a number of fashion brands in recent years, including Zara and Zalando. Earlier this year, the textile-to-textile recycler announced the formation of a new collective of brands and suppliers dedicated to scaling and accelerating the adoption of recycled materials. Signatories include Bestseller, Eileen Fisher, Everlane and Zalando.
“This collaboration with Allbirds marks a major milestone in proving that textile-to-textile recycling can scale beyond apparel and into high-performance footwear,” said Peter Majeranowski, CEO of Circ. “By using Circ Filament Lyocell from recycled textile waste as part of the upper for the Remix, we’re showing that circular materials don’t require compromise, they can look better, feel better, and do better for the planet. This is the future of fashion, and we’re proud to help lead the way.”
Remix styles are available in full- and half-sizes from women’s 5-11 and men’s 7-14, with a retail price of $140.