TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese shoe manufacturers are revolutionizing the industry by developing a patented technology that transforms agricultural and industrial waste into sustainable shoe materials. Using coffee grounds, bamboo, rice husks, and semiconductor silicon wafer scraps, this innovation promotes a greener economy and reduces environmental harm.
The process includes drying and roasting coffee grounds to eliminate moisture and prevent mold, then grinding them into plastic pellets for shoe production. A leading eco-friendly shoe brand incorporates biodegradable materials like rice, corn, tea leaves, and hard-to-decompose plastic bottles into its products. After extensive research, the brand's team has integrated waterproof technology and added rice husks for their antibacterial and deodorizing properties.
In Taiwan, the average person consumes 122 cups of coffee yearly, producing substantial coffee waste, which, if buried, releases greenhouse gases. In 2023, the eco-friendly shoe brand recycled 4.8 million cups of coffee grounds, 120 tons of silicon, and 3.2 million plastic bottles into shoe-making materials.
Wilson Hsu, CEO of a renowned international shoe brand, said, "The waste we recycle includes coffee grounds, ocean waste, semiconductor silicon wafer scraps, and other agricultural and fishery wastes. Through technological modification, these materials are repurposed for shoe manufacturing."
This initiative marks a significant advancement in sustainable development within the footwear industry by converting waste into valuable raw materials, demonstrating the vast potential for industry-wide change and environmental impact.