US-based shoemaker Rafters Footwear is planning to create sandals from recycled plastic water bottles.

The company started looking into turning plastic bottles, which are made from high-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, into sandals about a year ago. The bottles are chopped into pellets, melted into a liquid form and are rolled into almost pure polyester, and the material is later dyed. When this is melted down, fibre can be extracted and is almost pure poly fibre, according to company president, Bill Combs.

The sandals will be made in Asia starting later this year. The bottles will be supplied from Taiwan, and the sandals will be made in China.

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