In a groundbreaking collaboration, Balena and New.ve have unveiled a game-changing innovation in footwear: a fully compostable sneaker made entirely from 100% circular materials. This revolutionary sneaker redefines what it means to create shoes, offering no waste—just pure innovation. 

It’s a thoughtful blend of traditional techniques, smart material choices, and sustainable design, proving that innovation doesn’t have to rely on high-tech solutions. By focusing on accessible methods and creative design solutions, we’re setting a new benchmark for the future of footwear—simple, effective, and beautifully sustainable.

Balena’s expertise in developing high-performance biopolymers—materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable—aligns seamlessly with New.ve's long-standing commitment to quality and environmental responsibility. With New.ve’s proven track record of sustainable manufacturing, this partnership brings together two industry leaders in the circular space to create a product that not only meets the needs of today’s consumers but also paves the way for the next phase in footwear design: the circular future.

The Problem: Footwear's Hidden Environmental Cost

The global footwear industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation. Every year, over 20 billion pairs of shoes are produced, many made from materials like PVC, rubber, and polyester, which are non-biodegradable and toxic to the planet. This means that the vast majority of sneakers end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose, leaking harmful chemicals into the soil and waterways.

In fact, 300 million pairs of shoes are discarded in the U.S. alone every year. While recycling programs exist, they often don’t address the full lifecycle of footwear. Most shoes contain a mix of materials—20-40 components—that make them nearly impossible to recycle or reuse in their entirety. As a result, the industry continues to rely on linear “take-make-dispose” practices that create waste at every stage, from production to disposal.

How We Got Here: The Need for a New Approach

The shift toward sustainability has been slow within the footwear sector, despite growing consumer demand for sustainable alternatives. For years, brands have focused on using recycled or upcycled materials, but the true potential for zero-waste footwear has remained largely untapped.

The turning point came when we recognized that the solution wasn’t just to improve existing materials—it was to rethink the entire lifecycle of a shoe. By designing shoes from the ground up to be fully compostable, we could close the loop, eliminating the need for landfills and significantly reducing the environmental toll of sneaker production. This forward-thinking approach focuses on creating 100% circular materials that return safely to the earth, rather than lingering in landfills for centuries.

This is where the fully compostable sneaker was born—an idea rooted in both innovation and necessity, one that challenges everything we’ve come to accept about footwear. Together with New.ve we are proving that sustainability isn’t just possible in footwear—it’s essential for a future where every product, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier planet.

The Materials 

At its core is Balena’s BioCir® Flex, used in the soles, combining flexibility, durability, and biodegradability to form the sneaker’s foundation. This material ensures exceptional performance while supporting a circular lifecycle.

The sneaker offers two thoughtfully crafted versions:

• The Leather Edition: Made with compostable leather and suede, blending luxury with sustainability.

• The Vegan Edition: Featuring organic plant-based materials and BioCir® components on textiles, delivering a cruelty-free alternative without compromising quality.

Every element of the shoe has been meticulously selected to align with circular design principles. Linings, padding, and reinforcements are crafted from compostable or natural materials, ensuring exceptional comfort and longevity while keeping waste out of landfills. Even the finer details, like thread, shoelaces, and glue, utilize bio-based or compostable materials, leaving no stone unturned in the quest for circularity. 

Balena and New.ve have taken a bold step forward in redefining footwear, and the wait for this game-changing concept is nearly over. The concept of a fully compostable sneaker, built entirely from 100% circular materials, will soon make its official debut. This launch represents not just a product, but a commitment to a future where every step leaves no waste behind.

Stay tuned as we prepare to unveil the next phase in circular sneakers—where innovation meets sustainability, and every shoe tells a story of progress. The future of footwear begins now.