YY Nation launches world’s lowest carbon footprint sneaker

New Zealand-based sustainable shoe brand, YY Nation, is launching in the U.S. with its eco-friendly Legacy Footwear Collection, which includes the world’s lowest carbon footprint sneaker. YY Nation’s Nimbo shoe, constructed from bamboo and algae, has the industry’s lightest carbon footprint of 5.45kg CO2e (ISO 14067 Certified), which is three times less carbon emissions than ordinary shoes.

The carbon footprint of the complete Legacy Footwear Collection ranges from 5.45kg CO2 emissions to 8.15kg CO2 emissions per shoe, which is 42% to 61% lower than the 14kg CO2 emissions of traditional sneakers. YY Nation shoes are certified as Zero Carbon1 and will be carbon negative by 2022. All YY Nation shoes have been independently double certified by thinkstep-anz2 and Ekos™3 for their carbon impact.

Jeremy Bank, YY Nation Founding Director, said that they’re on a mission to create the world’s most sustainable shoes. While they’ve had a decent start, goodwill does not suffice. In terms of carbon footprint, they are the worst shoes we’ll ever design, yet they’re a leading sustainable alternative. It feels amazing to be making a difference; all they want to do now is keep improving. YY Nation is committing to a carbon-negative future with today’s launch, combining strict sustainability criteria with outstanding design and comfort.”

YY Nations shoes are not only some of the most eco-friendly in the industry, but they’re also stylish, comfortable, and long-lasting.

All elements of a YY Nation shoe are designed to be reused and repurposed to minimize waste, with a long-term goal of being 100% sustainable which are made from a combination of carefully selected, sustainable materials like wool, bamboo, pineapple husk, recycled post-consumer plastic, algae, and sugarcane.

Bank added that from the soles to the laces to the packaging, every component of the Legacy Footwear Collection is manufactured with sustainable, natural, or waste materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. They’re aware of how they introduce things into the world, but they are even more concerned about what they leave behind. They are proud to be from New Zealand, Aotearoa. They grew up with nature as their playground, which they still do now.

The Legacy Footwear Collection will debut with four models in a total of twelve hues (color options vary by style). The uppers are made of certified Merino wool or woven bamboo/nylon mesh, the laces are made of post-consumer waste recycled plastics, and the outsoles are made of sugarcane or algae coupled with recycled rubber — a combination that can survive any environment. YY Nation shoes are priced between $98 and $128 and come in whole and half sizes ranging from men’s 3.5 to 15 and women’s 5 to 13.