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Circular economy synergies: leveraging agrifood waste for sustainable shoe materials
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| 1.28 MB | Adobe PDF |
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Abstract(s)
The shoe industry needs more sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact not only in terms of processes and generated waste but also in its dependence on virgin raw materials. To address the last, there is an unconventional synergy that can prove to be disruptive. A synergy with the agrifood sector. While cascading use and food first principles mean that priority should be given to food and feed applications, there are several wastes generated by this sector that are not suitable for either application, and these are the ones that could be of particular interest for use to reduce raw material dependence by the shoe industry. Cork is a sustainable material commonly used in the footwear sector due to its lightweight, cushioning, and thermal insulating properties. However, there is increasing interest in enhancing it by incorporating additional materials derived from industrial byproducts. Beyond sustainability benefits, these modifications can potentially improve moisture absorption, alter microbial survival, and aesthetic design features, making them ideal for shoe insoles and similar applications where comfort and hygiene are critical. Thus, this study explores the potential of incorporating diverse industrial byproducts into cork-based shoe materials to improve both functional and design aspects, contributing to sustainability strategies within the footwear industry.
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Pedagogical Context
Citation
Silva, S., Ribeiro, T., Silva, I., & Marçal, S. et al. (2025). Circular economy synergies: leveraging agrifood waste for sustainable shoe materials. 1-1. Poster session presented at 7th Internationa Conference WASTES, Funchal, Portugal.
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Without CC licence