The Argentine company XINCA Shoes makes footwear and accessories with waste materials. For the sole of the footwear they use recycled tires and for the upper, textile waste from the local industry. In this way, they reduce the environmental impact generated by tires and textiles in disuse and, at the same time, avoid the use of virgin raw materials.

In Argentina, more than 120.000 tons of tires are discarded per year. These residues represent an environmental threat since they are generally buried or incinerated, releasing large amounts of toxic substances into the soil or the atmosphere. Although the environmental impact associated with textile waste in Argentina is minor, it also represent an ecological threat if the management is not adequate.

The company generates its entire line of footwear from recycled materials. The upper of the textile line is 100% textile waste, while the soles are composed of 50% virgin rubber and 50% recycled tire rubber. XINCA defines itself as a triple impact company, emphasizing the social dimension. Its products are made by 80 prisoners from the San Felipe de Mendoza prison, in order to motivate reintegration into the workforce and train people, strengthening national manufacturing.

The company also aims for a long-lasting product: the shoes are genderless, with a neutral and classic aesthetic, and use high-quality materials. To extend the life of the product, they do not use glue, but sew them together to make them more resistant.

According to company data, XINCA has recycled:

. 18,200 kg of tires out of use

. 1,700 kg of blader (waste from tire construction)

. 1,500 kg of textile waste that was transformed into shoes, backpacks and bags

. 2,200 burlap bags and 400 kg of advertising banner canvas were transformed into packaging and bags to deliver their products.

In addition, this form of production (compared to the conventional manufacture of footwear), has allowed them to consume 85% less energy and emit 75% less greenhouse gases.

The company not only sells footwear through its stores but also offers the service to corporate companies. By law, in Argentina, most companies have to change work shoes every six months. XINCA offers a footwear design service adapted to each company, generating an alternative with less environmental impact in the uniform industry. The company has completed the certification process at INTI (National Institute of Industrial Technology, Argentina).

Photo credits: Seth Sawyers, 2007 (The image was cropped)

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