M0.0NSHOT – the world’s first net zero carbon shoe
The creation of Allbird’s newly announced net zero shoe is not only a first for the brand but also a world first – and joining Allbirds on this historic journey is New Zealand’s first Toitū carbon-zero farm.
Lake Hāwea Station’s merino wool is climate positive, with the farm itself sequestering twice as much carbon as it emits.
The new Allbirds shoe, called M0.0NSHOT, incorporates this carbon-negative merino wool, along with carbon-negative sugarcane-based foam and carbon-negative bioplastic eyelets made by converting methane into a polymer similar to plastic.
All shoes in the new Allbirds range will be crafted with Aotearoa-sourced Lake Hāwea Station merino wool.
Geoff Ross, Lake Hāwea Station owner, says it was his family’s imperative from day one to demonstrate that farming can be part of the climate emergency solution through regenerative practices.
“We’re deeply committed to farming regeneratively, investing significantly in enhancing our biodiversity and have introduced new animal well-being programmes and hydro and solar infrastructure to continue improving.
“It’s fantastic for our hard work to be recognised with a brand like Allbirds, which shares our regenerative philosophy and values making tangible climate action.”
In partnership with Lake Hawea Station and The New Zealand Merino Company, Allbirds is also pioneering a new method of product carbon footprint quantification. It accounts for materials and processes that capture carbon, as well as those that emit, to provide a more holistic view of emissions and a more accurate picture of a product’s climate impact.
“Our promise is to ensure wool leaving our farm has complete transparency around its carbon accounting, which is why our climate change reduction efforts are all open source for anyone to analyse,” says Geoff.
The Plant Pacer uses 100% plastic-free plant leather
This impressive evolution of the Allbirds shoe comes hot on the release of the Allbirds Plant Pacer, featuring 100% plastic-free leather.
The Plant Pacer offers a modern twist and sustainable push on the classic court sneaker, using 100% plastic-free plant leather – a material-first in footwear.
Unlike other leather-like materials, it’s 100% plastic-free, 100% vegan, and only contains natural materials such as rubber, plant oils, and agricultural byproducts, offering a truly sustainable alternative leather.
Plant Leather has a carbon footprint that is 88% lower than traditional bovine leathers and 75% lower than synthetic “pleather” alternatives on the market.
Plant Leather unlocks a new category for Allbirds, allowing them to step further into the lifestyle footwear category.
“For way too long, fashion companies have relied on dirty synthetics and unsustainable leather, putting established ways of doing things and costs before the environment. We wanted to put an end to that, which led us to create the Plant Pacer,” says Allbirds Co-Founder and Co-CEO Tim Brown.
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