Nike is launching the ISPA Link Axis, described by the brand as its “first exploration into creating a fully circular shoe,” a closed-loop system that yields no waste. Every part of the Link Axis can be recycled, claims the company.
The design of the Link Axis uses interlocking components, as few materials as possible and zero glue. The shoe features a 100 percent recycled polyester Flyknit upper that is precisely engineered to fit over the outsole, as opposed to the traditional cut-and-sew method used for the Nike ISPA Link. Its 100 percent recycled TPU tooling was achieved by using scrap airbag material.
“ISPA” – Improvise, Scavenge, Protect, Adapt – is a Nike design philosophy that challenges creators to experiment and reimagine products. In the case of the Link Axis, the ISPA team considered the circular design principle of “disassembly,” or the ability to easily take a product apart to recycle its components. This is a challenging principle to implement in footwear design. Traditionally, designers use glue and other bonding elements to achieve flexibility and durability in a shoe, but that makes it almost impossible to disassemble and recycle. Creating a shoe that can be disassembled would reduce its carbon footprint and extend the lifecycle of a product.
The ISPA Link Axis will be released on Sept. 12.
