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Biodegradable Footwear
Worn-out shoes usually end up in landfills. But Adidas’s new Futurecraft Biofabric sneaker is different. Most of this eco-friendly shoe is designed to biodegrade, or naturally break down.
The top half is made of a silk-like fabric called Biosteel. The material breaks down when exposed to water mixed with a special enzyme—a molecule that helps speed up chemical reactions. Once treated, the fabric part of the shoe dissolves in less than 36 hours. So instead of tossing a worn-out pair in the trash, you can wash them down the drain. (The soles don’t dissolve and would still need to be disposed of.) Adidas expects the shoes to be available later this year.