Anima Launched Recyclable Sneaker Brand
The startup introduced a footwear line utilizing a new technology to convert recycled waste into material.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Environmental
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Anima has launched its recyclable footwear brand featuring the 4EVERLOOP system, which processes plastic bottles and polyester into new ESTERE material. The company currently offers two sneaker models, the Atomic RT and the Mercury RT, to help combat the industry-wide issue of footwear waste.
Why it matters
The venture addresses the massive environmental impact of global footwear production, where nearly 23 billion pairs are sent to landfills or burned annually. By enabling a closed-loop recycling process, Anima seeks to reduce reliance on virgin materials and mitigate industrial waste.
The 4EVERLOOP system integrates a recycled-polyester base that allows for complete shredding and melting of worn sneakers into pellets for re-entry into production. The brand utilizes technology developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan, with 50 percent recycled material content in new pairs.
The players
Anima
Anima is a footwear startup that holds an exclusive lifetime license to the 4EVERLOOP recycling technology.
Industrial Technology Research Institute
The Industrial Technology Research Institute is a Taiwan-based research and development organization that developed the core recycling technology for Anima.
The details
Anima is currently in negotiations to license its recycling technology to 15 major footwear brands to expand its circularity model. Customers who return their worn-out shoes receive a £20 credit toward a new pair, which are then processed back through the system.
Timeline
The Anima sneaker brand launched in September 2026.
Anima envisions operating a multi-brand house of circularity by 2036.
Deeper Dive
This launch represents a shift in manufacturing, following the industry-wide waste patterns established by the 24.3 billion pairs of annual global footwear production.
Consumers can purchase the Atomic RT for £179 or the Mercury RT for £169, with the incentive of receiving a £20 credit upon returning worn pairs. This model encourages long-term participation in the recycling lifecycle while offering a direct financial benefit to the buyer.
The takeaway
The company provides a blueprint for circularity that could reshape how footwear brands approach waste management. Readers can consider the environmental impact of their own footwear consumption habits when choosing between traditional and recyclable products.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by British GQ.
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Would you switch to a fully recyclable sneaker brand if it cost the same as premium brands?
