Student at Northumbria University, UK, John Macdonald has designed an environmentally-friendly children’s shoe.

The shoe uses fewer resources and components in its manufacture and, as such, lends itself more easily to recycling. Mr Macdonald, who is in his final year of a Design for Industry course, used a black moulded flexible plastic as the basic structure. The shoe is then kept in a secure position by fitted, elastic straps.

Commenting on his design, he said, “At the moment shoes are made out of as many as 40 different components and a variety of adhesives which means they can’t be recycled. My design uses minimal separate components, some of which can be made locally. The shoe is quick to assemble and easy to take apart again which increases the possibilities of recycling.’’

He has also devised an incentive scheme through which customers would be offered a discount on their next pair of shoes whenever they brought an old pair back to the shop. The returned shoes would then be correctly disposed of and recycled in ways which would benefit the manufacturer.

He was also keen that the shoe should fit in with the different activities and lifestyles of children. The plain black shoe can be used at school, and the straps can then be reversed or customised for leisure activities as they are lightweight and supportive.

he has called his design the ‘Hoop’ in reference to two loops at the top of the shoe which help to stretch the shoe apart to allow the foot in. The shoe then snaps back and grips the foot.

Mr Macdonald worked with UK footwear company Clarks on the project and he has now been offered a work placement there to develop his design.