SCARPA’s iconic Mojito is now available in a completely redesigned, sustainable version. SCARPA, the leading Italian manufacturer of outdoor footwear for mountaineering, climbing, hiking, trail running and ski mountaineering, has announced the launch of Mojito Re-Shoes, a new version of the climbing-inspired model, entirely designed and manufactured according to eco-design principles. This is the first footwear to provide an alternative and circular solution for managing the “end of life” of footwear within the same production chain, a change achieved thanks to the LIFE Re-Shoes project, coordinated by SCARPA as part of the European Union’s LIFE programme. The collection campaign, which ran for two years within SCARPA’s European distribution networks, enabled the company to recover enough used footwear to produce 15,000 pairs of new Mojito Re-Shoes.
‘This project, which now concludes with the marketing of the product,’ said Sandro Parisotto, President of SCARPA, “represents a new starting point for the footwear industry: the idea is to develop a new, more sustainable business model, in which end-of-life footwear becomes a source from which to obtain new materials to be used directly in the production of new shoes. A circular approach that restores value to what already exists, reduces waste and promotes a more conscious idea of product and business.”
DESIGN FOR RECYCLING CONCEPT
At the heart of the innovation is an advanced selective hydrolysis process, which has made it possible to separate the upper and sole, chemically break down the leather and regenerate it into new material. Worn soles have been ground up and transformed into new midsoles, while the new tread and reinforcements have been made with high percentages of recycled material. Specifically, the midsole contains up to 35% material from ground soles, and the sole is composed of 50% devulcanised rubber obtained from SCARPA’s production waste.
In general, shoes are difficult to recycle due to the complex layering of heterogeneous materials that compose them, which are often difficult to separate during disposal. Mojito Re-Shoes, on the other hand, have been designed according to the principles of “design for recycling”: metal eyelets have been eliminated, the number of materials used has been reduced and new technologies have been employed, thus facilitating the separability of the components (sole and upper). This approach in turn makes Mojito Re-Shoes more easily recyclable at the end of their life, without compromising the aesthetics and functionality that made the original model iconic.
The recycling and production processes are digitally traceable and accompanied by an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) analysis that will provide accurate data on emissions, water consumption, energy and chemicals used in the production process.
