BENTU design repurposes discarded shoes into sustainable rubber WU stools

BENTU design reveals stools made from recycled shoe soles

BENTU Design addresses the global issue of shoe waste by creating WU, sustainable and visually appealing stools made from recycled rubber soles. Each stool incorporates 15 kilograms of recycled rubber, equivalent to 60 shoe soles, with 90% of the stool’s raw materials sourced from discarded shoes. This high proportion of recycled content minimizes waste generation and landfill burden, aligning sustainability with practical application. Designed for durability, WU features weather resistance suitable for outdoor use, which reduces the need for new material production and lowers the overall carbon footprint. Utilizing the resilient properties of recycled rubber to offer impact protection and a comfortable seating experience, the stools also prioritize safety and comfort. BENTU Design employs non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials, ensuring they meet health and safety standards. By carefully sorting and matching the rubber materials, The independent design brand achieves a wide range of customizable colors and textures for the WU stools, making them versatile and suitable for diverse spaces and requirements.

all images courtesy of BENTU Design

wu repurposes rubber waste into functional seating

Each year, around 20 billion pairs of shoes are produced, with 95% ending up in landfills. These shoes, composed of synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, and rubber, decompose slowly, taking over a century. Rubber waste accumulates and leads to severe environmental problems, including toxic emissions during incineration and habitats for pests in landfills. BENTU Design tackles this challenge by repurposing rubber shoe waste into functional and aesthetically pleasing seating, reducing environmental impact while promoting material recycling. WU highlights the importance of sustainability and demonstrates how recycled materials can be integrated into everyday life with forward-thinking design. By transforming waste into functional art, the product design brand presents a tangible solution to the growing ecological concerns associated with shoe waste.

BENTU Design addresses the global issue of shoe waste by creating WU

WU is made from recycled rubber soles

each stool incorporates 15 kilograms of recycled rubber

90% of the stool’s raw materials are sourced from discarded shoes

this high proportion of recycled content minimizes waste generation

the WU stools are designed for durability

weather resistance makes WU suitable for outdoor use, reducing the need for new material production

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careful classification and matching of rubber allows the customizable colors and textures of WU

reducing environmental impact while promoting material recycling

shoe waste turns into functional and aesthetically pleasing seating

BENTU Design tackles the challenge by repurposing rubber

rubber waste accumulates and leads to severe environmental problems

each year, around 20 billion pairs of shoes are produced, with 95% ending up in landfills

these shoes, composed of synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, and rubber, decompose slowly

project info:

name: WU
designer: BENTU Design | @bentudesign

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom