Super soft sustainable sneakers for summer. YY Nation’s zero carbon footwear.

YY Nation, a new sustainable shoe brand is launching with its eco-friendly Legacy Footwear Collection, which includes the Nimbo shoe, made from bamboo and algae. Following three years of intensive research and development, YY Nation’s Nimbo shoe has the industry’s smallest carbon footprint - three times fewer carbon emissions than conventional sneakers.  The brand adds that its shoes are Zero Carbon Certified and are expected to be carbon negative in 2022. The carbon footprint of all YY Nation shoes have been independently double certified by thinkstep-anz and Ekos.    “We are on a journey to make the world’s most sustainable shoes,” says YY Nation founding director Jeremy Bank. “While we’re off to a good start, good is not enough.  It feels great to be making a difference, we just want to keep doing better. With today’s launch, YY Nation is committing to a carbon-negative future that combines rigorous sustainability standards with incredible design and comfort.”

YY Nation’s low carbon footprint design

Made from a combination of carefully selected, sustainable materials like wool, bamboo, pineapple husk, recycled post-consumer plastic, algae and sugarcane, all elements of a YY Nation shoe are designed to be reused and repurposed to minimise waste, with a long-term goal of being 100% sustainable. Materials include Merino wool, which is ethically sourced and traceable from New Zealand growers, woven bamboo/nylon mesh, pineapple leather, sugarcane, and algae.  “Every component of the Legacy Footwear Collection, from the soles to the laces to the packaging, is made with sustainable, natural or waste materials that would otherwise be landfill-bound,” Bank adds. “We are conscious of how we bring things into the world but more careful of what we leave behind. We are proud to come from Aotearoa, New Zealand. We grew up enjoying nature as our playground, which is why we’re serious about protecting our land and oceans.”

The Legacy Footwear Collection is launching with four styles available in 12 colours. The uppers are available in soft, breathable certified Merino wool or woven bamboo/nylon mesh, the laces are made from post-consumer waste recycled plastics and the outsoles feature either sugarcane or algae combined with recycled rubber.

Zero Carbon Certified

YY Nation is a Zero Carbon Certified brand by Ekos ™. This means that any CO2 emissions our shoes release into the atmosphere is balanced by removing an equivalent amount of CO2 emissions.   To do this, YY Nation commissioned an independent company, thinkstep-anz, to research and calculate YY Nation’s carbon footprint in making each shoe.

YY Nation is utilizing Ekos' services, partnering with landowners to develop projects that grow and protect indigenous forests for future generations and natural wildlife to enjoy. Although they are just starting their journey to becoming the most sustainable shoe brand in the world, launching with a Zero Carbon footprint was essential. But Zero Carbon is just the beginning - they're determined to become a climate positive company, having a net positive impact on the planet by putting back more than they take out.