Waste reduction has sure come a long way. Whether we are finding creative ways to keep waste out of sight and out of mind (i.e. shipping it to other municipalities), rethinking the 3Rs, paying for overages in waste allowance, creating islands, or being early adopters to such eco-buzz words as freeganism, upcycling, and downcycling, we are constantly forced to deal with the realities that exist with the trash we produce.

Some may say that the simplest solution to our waste and landfill problems is to not consume at all (i.e. stop yourself right there! Do you really need that [insert name of well-marketed product here]?). Much easier said than done for the majority of us – believe me, I know.  So if we cannot restrain ourselves from consuming, the next best thing we can do for our planet is to find ways to minimize and curb our landfill contribution somehow. Maybe it’s through the packaging we choose, donating/bartering our belongings, or maybe it’s using more eco-friendly alternatives such as  biodegradable products and compostable products.

Overtime, we have seen many biodegradable alternatives to things that would typically end up in landfills pop up in the market to help fight some of our waste and landfill issues. In turn, this does not reduce our reliance in consuming these products but helps us theoretically divert our waste to landfills while maintaining a similar level of consumption. Maybe I’m a big nerd, but I find biodegradable materials and products pretty neat. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent a lot of time in makeshift labs trying to develop the next “it” product that will save the planet (past endeavours include eco-friendly feather-fibre speaker cones, and plantable-self-fertilizing pots – true story – too bad these products meant more to me than they did to the market), but I find it exciting to see what people are going to come up with next. Biodegradable packaging, cleaning products, utensils, biodegradable plates (or palm leaf plates), and biodegradable cups are all part of the ongoing effort to reduce waste.

Next stop, biodegradable automobiles, mobile phones, and computers?  OK, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.  What about biodegradable shoes?

OAT Shoes is a new initiative hailing from Amsterdam that combines a stylish design, some racy runway appeal, and a whole slew of biodegradable materials all compacted into a pair of trendy kicks. OAT Shoes are made up of hemp, cork, bio-cotton, certified biodegradable plastics, chlorine-free bleach and other nontoxic materials. In other words, when you are done with them, you can simply bury the shoes in the garden, woods or compost, and they will eventually become one with the earth.  For the gardening aficionados, or for those who just want to see something cool happen, water the buried shoes regularly and flowers will bloom.

Like many biodegradable materials and products, OAT Shoes may not be the answer to our waste and landfill problems, but it’s one that fits with modern times and allows us to consume more responsibly. Too bad these shoes are not available to the public until the end of March 2011 – and even then, who knows how long until they are available in North America!   But until then, so long as they don’t start to biodegrade while they are muddy and I am splish-splashing in the rain, I think I’d give them a try.

Would you?

References:

• http://www.oatshoes.com/
• http://www.gizmag.com/compostable-sneakers-biodegrade-in-soil/17954/