New Tennis Shoe Made From Recycled Scrap

New Tennis Shoe Made From Recycled Scrap FARM HOME Clothes 15-4-32 Here's a shoe with a past. The "DejaShoe" is a tennis shoe made totally out of recycled plastic, paper, coffee filters, tires, foam rubber, and recycled metals. It looks and performs like a normal, comfortable all-purpose sports shoe. "As far as I know it's the only shoe made from 100% recycled materials," says Julie Lewis, president of Northwest Quality Innovations, Inc., Lake Oswego, Ore. "The fabric lining and outer material is made from 100% waste polypropylene, the sole from reclaimed tire rubber, the tuckboard from recycled la-aft paper bags and coffee filters. The eyelets contain recycled metals, the foam is 100% reclaimed foam rubber. The box, which is also made from recycled materials using water-based inks, is reversible with pictures of endangered animals inside so you can reuse it as a gift box." Lewis received a grant to come up with the innovative new use of hard-to-recycle materials. She got help in developing the new product from tire recyclers and Nike, Inc., founder Bill Bowerman. She also discovered a machine that weaves recycled polypropylene at an Amoco plant in Georgia. The shoes are currently available-only in women's sizes and in a tan color. Men's and children's styles will be available next year. Lewis plans to use profits from the sale of the shoes toward the development of other shoe styles including chukka boots and sandals. Sells for $59 per pair. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, NQI Inc., P.O. Box 830, Lake Oswego, Ore. 97034 (ph 503 636-1887).

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