What's Happening?
Designer Soroosh Riazi Isfahani has developed a unique footwear line called SLICE, utilizing discarded tennis balls as the primary material. The process involves slicing the tennis balls into components that can be assembled into shoes, maintaining the recognizable
fluorescent yellow skin and white seams. This innovative approach not only repurposes waste but also retains the original texture and form of the tennis balls. The project addresses the challenge of recycling tennis balls, which are difficult to separate into their composite materials due to their construction. SLICE is currently an experimental project and a 2026 James Dyson Award entry.
Why It's Important?
This project highlights a creative solution to the environmental issue of waste generated by tennis balls, with an estimated 400 million produced annually. By transforming these into wearable shoes, the initiative not only reduces waste but also promotes sustainable fashion practices. The project exemplifies how design and innovation can contribute to environmental sustainability, potentially inspiring other designers and industries to explore similar recycling methods. If successful, this approach could lead to broader applications in sustainable product design, influencing both consumer behavior and manufacturing processes.
