19 June, 2025
Santa Barbara, CA - A new report from Heeluxe, a leading independent footwear performance lab, has confirmed that Blumaka's recycled and circular foam insole technology, developed in partnership with Sneaker Impact, demonstrates that a high level of performance can be achieved using upcycled and circular materials..
"This isn't just a theory or a lab experiment—it's real, it's proven, and it's scalable," said Stuart Jenkins, founder of Blumka."Through our work with Sneaker Impact, we've demonstrated that shoe foam waste can be transformed into a high-quality raw material for footwear components, produced at scale and ready for immediate adoption. This technology can support the production of millions of pairs in 2026 and beyond, giving footwear brands a clear path to revolutionize their sustainability practices. Sending shoes to landfills or burning foam waste is no longer an inevitable reality—it’s now a choice to pollute.”
Key findings from the Heeluxe study include:
Foam from used running shoes can be effectively recycled into high-performance insoles and midsole material.
A blend of 90 percent post-consumer and 10 percent post-industrial foam performed nearly identically to 100 percent post-industrial ETPU (expanded thermoplastic polyurethane).
Even 100 percent post-consumer foam outperformed approximately 85 percent of the insoles in Heeluxe's extensive database.
The recycled foam demonstrates excellent cushioning properties and resistance to compression over time.
Blumaka and Sneaker Impact have developed a system to harvest foam from used running shoes, previously destined for landfills, and reconstruct it into high-quality new footwear. This innovation works on existing production equipment using mass manufacturing methods, proving it is not just possible—it's scalable, commercially viable, and cost-effective.
The Heeluxe study tested various combinations of post-consumer foam, extracted from worn-out athletic shoes, and post-industrial ETPU (recycled foam waste from shoe production). Notably a 90/10 mixture of post consumer and post-industrials foam produced some of the best cushioning results while having less compression. This demonstrates that high quality footwear can be produced using the foam from old running shoes.
This breakthrough comes at a crucial time, as over 400 million pairs of shoes are discarded annually in the U.S. alone. Blumaka's process could potentially convert this waste into 800 million high-performance insoles or 400 million midsoles for casual footwear.
"We're excited to offer footwear brands a viable, circular solution that doesn't compromise on performance. This technology allows us to create longer-lasting, well-cushioned shoes from what was once considered trash,” said Jenkins.
About Blumaka
Blumaka is redefining how insoles are made - with purpose, performance, and the planet in mind. Based in Santa Barbara, California, Blumaka produces high-performance insoles made from over 85% recycled materials. Our patented process transforms premium foam waste - discarded during athletic footwear production - into durable, responsive, and sustainable products trusted by professional athletes and leading brands. Through independent testing, Blumaka’s NonSlip insoles are scientifically proven to deliver significant performance benefits: 90% of athletes ran faster, 80% started and stopped more quickly, and 80% had increased stability from to the knee to the ground. Whether for elite performance or everyday comfort, Blumaka insoles deliver exceptional cushioning, support, and longevity - all while reducing waste and environmental impact. Learn more at www.blumaka.com.
###
