INITIATIVE:

The innovation and sustainability efforts work conjointly to achieve the goal of providing an inventive and unique process to minimize Nike's carbon footprint. The sponge fibers that are used in a combination with rubber material through a hybrid manufacturing process is inspired by the Luffa. This vegetable is a popular food item in China and Vietnam but must be harvested at a young stage of development to be edible. Once matured and fully ripen, the flesh of the luffa dissipates exposing the fibrous skeleton and seeds. Theoretically, the PVC foam will act as a bonding agent with the sponge fibers during the molding process creating a rugged, yet light source of stability. In Paraguay Elsa Zaldivar, a social activist, used the luffa with other vegetable matter along with recycled plastic to form strong, lightweight panels that contributed to the construction of houses. With the proper research and technology, the process of leveraging the luffa vegetable with Nike's sustainability efforts could prove valuable to the future of how we create...

Sustainability:

Sustainability plays a major role in the construction design. The Nike Materials Index (Nike MSI) is used to select environmentally better materials and are assessed in four areas comprising of energy, chemistry, water, and waste. The above and below graphs display the values of each the corresponding materials that will be used in the construction process and their respectable environmental impact. To support Nike's sustainable innovation initiative the materials being used are a combination of current fabrics and composites as well new elements. Leather composite and recycled polyester fabric will be the main materials used in the upper portion.

The midsole will be comprised of a polyurethane TPU foam and sponge fiber synthesis. The innovation of the sponge fibers is the ability of the material to mold to the foot with reinforcement capabilities. The outsole will be comprised of a environmentally preferred rubber that will provide superior traction.