Since Zèta was founded in 2020, our goal has always been the same: to offer recycled, recyclable and vegan trainers. We give a second life to materials such as grape, maize and plastic, and given the wealth of by-products that exist, we have no intention of stopping there!
Today, Zèta is proud to present its very first collaboration with Nespresso to create RE:GROUND, a pair of coffee trainers made from recycled and upcycled materials. Each pair of trainers in this capsule collection contains recycled coffee grounds equivalent to 12 espressos.
Nespresso launched its recycling programme in 1991, at the time the brand was taking off. They recycle not only aluminium but also coffee grounds, which enabled us to create RE:GROUND. The trainers are made from 80% recycled and upcycled materials.
This capsule collection features 3 models with caffeine-inspired names: Latte, Cappuccino and Ristretto.
What sets them apart? It's the sole that perfectly matches the name of the drink. A white sole for the Latte trainer, a honey sole for the Cappuccino trainer, and a dark brown sole for the Ristretto trainer make this collection a truly unique creation!
RE:GROUND is a limited collection available until 10 June exclusively on the Zèta website. The icing on the cake? Each pair is delivered in an upcycled jute bag!
How did the project come about?
It all began, above all, with a chance encounter. The CEO of Nespresso, Guillaume Le Cunff, came across a LinkedIn post by Laure, the founder of Zèta, and was intrigued by our approach. After all, 100% recycled, vegan, grape-based trainers are not exactly commonplace. Guillaume immediately sent a message, issuing a challenge: "Bravo for the grape trainers, but what about coffee?"
After extensive research, it became clear that no coffee-based material existed on the market. We eventually met Tintex, a leader in innovative textiles, who decided to embark on the adventure alongside us.
After several months of trials, research and development, Tintex created a coffee-based material that can be worked into the manufacturing of trainers.
How is a vegan coffee material made?
This coffee material is an innovative and sustainable material that perfectly embodies circularity.
It was made using ecological materials and substances, present both in the textile substrate (underlayer), which is a 100% cotton fabric, and in the coating layer, which is composed of approximately 20% green and bio-sourced polymers, and approximately 65% water-based PU. To this, 15% coffee grounds are added, sourced from the Nespresso capsule recycling programme.
This coffee faux leather features several sustainable qualities: incorporation of used coffee grounds, high bio-based content, natural dyes and eco-responsible processing.
What is the coffee trainer made of?
Zèta is committed to working within short supply chains, exclusively with European suppliers close to our manufacturing workshop. The RE:GROUND trainers are therefore made in Portugal, just like all our other models.
The composition of the RE:GROUND trainers stays true to the classic models, with plant-based maize material chosen for the outer upper of the trainer.
The inner lining is made from mesh produced from plastic bottles recovered from the Mediterranean, the laces are made from recycled plastic, the removable inner sole is made from recycled cork, the outer sole from recycled synthetic rubber, and finally, the adhesive is made from upcycled latex.
What's new? Coffee grounds are incorporated into both the inner and outer soles, and all the brown details on the shoe are crafted from this innovative coffee material. The soles have a speckled effect that comes from particles of recycled rubber and coffee grounds.
An innovative and surprising collaboration
Zèta and Nespresso share the same commitments to environmental and social responsibility.
Nespresso has a deep and long-standing commitment to sustainability, with circularity as a key element.
The company launched its capsule recycling programme in 1991 and regularly runs campaigns to promote recycling among consumers. Nespresso has also supported numerous circular start-ups.
We innovate in terms of materials. Our DNA remains unchanged: Always just as transparent, always just as comfortable and always just as eco-friendly.
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