Amsterdam Made Sneakers Out of Gum from the Streets

Gum soles are revered in sneaker culture, but chewing-gum on soles is another issue. Amsterdam agree — although more for environmental reasons than aesthetic ones — and have tackled the problem in a unique way. Teaming up with Publicis One, Gum-Tec and local shoe brand Explicit Wear, city officials combed the streets to collect some of the 1.5 million kilograms of gum squished onto sidewalks every year. Then they treated it, fashioned it into synthetic fibres and turned it into sneakers.

Pairs come in black and pink, and have Amsterdam’s map etched into the soles (which might have presented a dangerously lodging place for gum before this initiative came along). Pre-order pairs now from Explicit Wear.