HELSINKI, Finland — Rens announces the launch of the world’s first ‘coffee sneaker’ on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Innovatively crafted from spent coffee grounds and recycled plastic, the sneaker is stylish, waterproof and sustainable.
The idea for Rens shoes was born out of a desire for sneakers that both look good and are kind to the planet. After spending a lot of time searching for cool, sustainable footwear, the founders found the market to be lacking.
Co-founder Son Chu explains the coffee sneaker:
“Jesse and I are two young sneakerheads who felt like no one was making truly eco-friendly sneakers that looked good too. So, we decided to make one ourselves.”
Coming from Vietnam, both Rens founders have first-hand experience of the footwear industry’s environmental impact:
To put things into perspective: 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed every day, and 3 million plastic bottles are bought every minute. Spent coffee grounds produce methane – a major contributor to climate change – and the world is drowning in plastic waste.
Frustrated by the unsustainability of the fashion industry, Rens decided to harness the power of waste – putting 21 cups of coffee and six plastic bottles into every pair of Rens.
Rens infuses sustainable materials with technology and style to create a sleek, versatile sneaker. Each pair of Rens has an upper made from a mixture of coffee yarn and recycled polyester, as well as a coffee-infused inner lining designed with a breathable, ultra-lightweight material. 100% waterproof, the shoes adapt to your movements to provide all-day comfort.
Even better – coffee’s natural antibacterial properties make Rens odor-resistant for their entire lifecycle.
Rens come in a range of colors, suiting the minimalists and maximalists. Both stylish and sporty, Rens sneakers can be worn on the metro or on the mountain.
Rens are available right now on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1987199519/rens-the-totally-waterproof-sneaker-made-from-coffee/.
