Start Small. Dream Big.
Transforming old shoes into new surfaces is a great start – but it’s not our end goal. At Nike, we’re committed to design without compromise – either to performance or the planet. We call this Considered Design.
At the heart of Considered Design is a dedication to continual progress, where we raise the standard for both innovation and sustainability every single day. So a few years ago, we branched out from sports surfaces and started using pre-consumer Nike Grind – scrap material from our manufacturing facilities – in new Nike products, like zipper pulls, buttons and promotional items – and even some of our best-selling shoes:
- Air Jordan XX3 – This world-famous shoe is now designed for sustainability, using Nike Grind in the sole and incorporating other eco-friendly design features.
- Nike Trash Talk – Designed for Steve Nash, this basketball shoe uses many environmentally preferred materials, such as Nike Grind Rubber in its outsole.
- Nike Pegasus 25 – Nike’s beloved running shoe adds new features like reduced toxics and recycled materials, including Nike Nike Grind Rubber in the outsole.
- Tiempo Super Ligera Soccer Shoe – A screen-printed layer of Nike Grind on high-wear areas helps protect and strengthen without adding weight.
- Nike Apparel – Products ranging from All Conditions Gear to the Livestrong Jacket use Nike Grind in finishes like zipper pulls, snaps and buttons.
Check out the slideshow below to see these products in action:
But that’s just the start. Nike engineers are constantly researching and testing innovative ways to incorporate Nike Grind into more products – and to find other environmentally preferred design solutions. Eventually, we want the shoes you wear today to be reborn into new shoes, apparel or gear. It's a process we call closed-loop manufacturing, but you can call it turning Nike into Nike. Because when it comes to sustainable innovation, there is no finish line. Learn more about Nike innovation.
