Quiksilver’s Roxy brand will release a new zero-waste, 100% recyclable flip flop worldwide in Spring 2014 made from PLUS Compound Technologies (“PLUS”) 100 percent recyclable PLUSfoam material.
As with all PLUSfoam products, the Roxy flop called “Kiwi” will be non-microbial, non-absorbent and eligible for reclaim at any of the PLUSfoam facilities around the world. Other brands to launch footwear made from PLUSfoam include Patagonia, BodyGlove Footwear, Vans, New Balance, Toms and Kigo.
“Along with making one of the most comfortable sandals on the market, conveying the closed-loop story to the Roxy consumer was of utmost importance for this project” said Mike Carr, Associate GM at PLUSfoam. “The Roxy team included ‘recycle @ PLUSfoam.com’ on the outsole, inside the sandal strap and on a separate hang-tag that is also made with PLUSfoam. It has become apparent from their strong pre-book numbers that retailers and consumers alike value this closed-loop story.”
PLUS Compound Technologies operates reclaim facilities in the US, Canada, Europe, China, Korea and Japan where any products made with PLUS Compounds can be returned and recycled.
“The ability to close the loop on our products is something we offer to all our brand partners”, says Carr. “In the past year we have opened reclaim facilities in Europe, Canada and Japan, each of which has added to our global network and our ability to prevent valuable material from winding up in trash cans, incinerators and waterways around the world”.
Cathey Curtis, Global Marketing at Roxy, stated, “Roxy has always been committed to making product that allows our girls to live their fun and adventurous lives. Our footwear is a part of that commitment. We are excited to partner with PLUSfoam to make the Kiwi, a style of flip flop, a signature Roxy product.”
Using PLUSfoam in just one product can make a huge difference at the manufacturing level.
“Anyone who has been to a manufacturing facility in China within the last 20 years has seen the piles of post-manufacturing scrap first-hand,” said PLUSfoam CEO Brett Ritter. “Our goal at PLUS is to eliminate these piles while producing the best possible performance-based products. With Roxy getting on board, we’re collectively making a difference”.
