This Side Up

Tackling disposable footwear pollution with recycled cardboard shoes

What:

Footwear Design, Sustainable Design and Material Science

What: Footwear Design, Sustainable Design, Material Science

Who: Imperial College London and Royal College of Art

Awards: Only Natural Fashion Footwear Prize Winner 2024

Press: Exhibited at US Embassy London, Featured in Wallpaper Magazine

Timeframe: 2024

Problem area: Disposable footwear is widely used in settings such as hotels, hospitals, and airports, often made from non-biodegradable materials like EVA and polypropylene. These shoes contribute significantly to landfill waste, posing a major environmental challenge.

My role: I divided my time between footwear design and material development. Using a laser cutter, I prototyped the shoe pattern and added score lines to enhance the flexibility of the upper. Additionally, I conducted material experiments to improve durability and water resistance.

Outcome: A flat-pack, disposable shoe made from waste cardboard. The design allows users to assemble the shoe without adhesives, making it both practical and eco-friendly. To enhance durability, I developed a biodegradable composite for the soles using rice glue, cardboard, and shellac resin.

Who:

Imperial College London and Royal College of Art

THIS SIDE UP offers an environmentally friendly alternative to the current disposable footwear on the market. Usually found in hotels, airports, hospitals and even spray tanning booths, these shoes are usually made from un-biodegradable materials such as EVA and polypropylene. Instead, THIS SIDE UP was constructed with waste cardboard, found on my commutes to and from university. It’s flat-pack, making it easy to transport and store in bulk, and also tackles the overlooked issue of cardboard pollution, which is a significant source of methane emission in landfills.