Austin Footwear Labs rolls out a footwear line made from more than 50% upcycled scrap tires.
Austin Footwear Labs sandals are made from APX, a patented material created by Austin Rubber. The APX-making process takes tires at the end of their useful life and upcycles them into useable rubber, instead of their being burned and emitting toxins or being sent to a landfill.
“Every year, 300 million scrap tires are generated in North America alone, and it is our mission to provide an economically competitive and earth-friendly alternative to junking them,” said Austin Footwear Labs President Fitz Lee. “We are setting a new standard for footwear where true sustainability matters as much as quality, comfort and style.”
The men’s and women’s lines include sandals in four different colors that pay tribute to Austin’s geography and culture. Men’s are available in Espresso, Red River, Burnt Orange and Bat Black, and women’s are available in Sand, Turquoise, Purple Haze and Onyx.