University graduate Alex Witty has unveiled a ground-breaking new brand of sneakers, designed to revolutionise both the motorsport and footwear industries’ approach to sustainability.
Compound Footwear sneakers use waste motorsport tyres, eco-leather and recycled materials to create a recyclable solution to the environmental pollution generated by both fast-fashion and tyre waste.
The company was founded by 25-year-old Alex Witty from Bath, who was studying Sustainable Product Design at the University of Brighton during the 2020 Covid lockdown.
He said, “As the university facilities were closed due to Covid, it forced me to convert my bedroom into a workshop, where I was recycling materials such [as] coffee and ocean plastic in rows of panini presses and melting seaweed polymers in the student kitchen. I wasn’t winning any Flatmate of the Year awards that year!”
It was during this time that the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled and Alex heard that 1,800 brand-new tyres were scrapped and shipped back to the UK to be incinerated. Shocked to find out that most motorsport tyres are burnt after each race, he decided to try and find a better use for them.
Alex continued, “Over the past two years, I’ve engaged with tyre manufacturers, shoe producers, material scientists and race series organisers, including Formula 1 and Formula E. I’ve done extensive research and testing of tyre recycling methods, delved into devulcanisation, micronisation and cryogenic grinding.”
In addition, Alex also explored other motorsport waste materials, such as scrap carbon fibre, race suits and motorsport clothing, where 25 per cent of source materials typically go to waste as factory off-cuts.
The motorsport-inspired sneakers are made using a patented process to combine used race tyre rubber with recycled natural rubber to create the shoe soles. The uppers are made from waste leather and recycled polyester lining and laces. At the end of their natural life, Compound Footwear sneakers can be recycled into 100 per cent reusable raw materials to make new shoes and products.
Alex added, “Our objective is to avoid the use of virgin fossil fuels, reduce the number of different materials that make most sneakers un-recyclable, and incorporate sustainable, recycled materials that not only reduce environmental impact, but are also an attractive step towards a cleaner, greener future.”
Compound Footwear’s launch coincides with a growing sustainability push in the tyre and motorsport industries, particularly Formula 1, which has committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon status by 2030.
It has received substantial support from the world of motorsport, as well as funding from Innovate UK, Santander and Verizon amongst others.
James Snelgrove of Innovate UK EDGE South West, said, “I am delighted to have supported Compound Footwear on their commercialisation journey. They are a fantastically innovative company, trail-blazing the use of recycled motorsport materials into sustainable fashion and creating new circular economy pathways within the industry. “
The first range of Compound Footwear sneakers will launch on October 24th via a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. Early supporters will enjoy exclusive, limited-edition sneakers and clothing at special early-bird launch prices.
To bag a pair of these motorsport sneakers, visit: compoundfootwear.com
Pictured above: Alex Witty, Founder of Compound Footwear, with his sustainable sneakers made from recycled motorsport tyres
