Making Footwear Based on Circular Economy - REWEART

Abstract

The REWEART project will help meet the objectives of the EU’s Environmental Policy. What is more, it will contribute to the implementation of EU commitments under UNFCCC Kyoto Protocol, EU GHG emission reduction commitments in 2020 under the Climate and Energy Package, Green Deal and Fashion Pact. Following the objectives of resource and energy reduction as well as waste cuts all along the product life cycle, the main ambition of REWEART project is to refer to natural ecosystems, which produces no waste, and uses only renewable resources (solar energy and water). REWEART project aims at generalising the use of proactive waste management at design stage and at anticipating and improving reactive management. The project offers us an exceptional opportunity to conceive a new business model and related services and tools, enabling, at design stage, the selection of the most suitable materials and processes to create a new footwear product 100% recycled, organic, as working hypothesis. A cost effectiveness evaluation has been made possible to make affordable new products available to the market, while a concurrent environmental impact analysis ensures that the new solutions are positive for the environment. The project results have been assessed against a set of performance yardsticks addressing environmental, social and economic impact. This paper presents the activities carried out within the LIFE REWEART project during its entire period of development.