Nike has teamed up with Taiwanese architect and engineer Arthur Huang to create a lightweight package made entirely of post-consumer materials (milk and orange juice containers, morning coffee lids). Specifically, the box is produced from a single process Polypropylene with no added chemicals. The modular design allows it to be used as a stackable, interlocking component of a product display or storage system.
“These are all intentional features and qualities which revolve around the intent of every Miniwiz product — reducing the impact on the environment in every way it can,” says Huang. “In this case, we’re adding features and efficiency to an existing product (shoe boxes) and by re-using non-virgin materials in a sustainable and responsible way.”
The package can also be used as a backpack and, should ideas about other forms of reuse sputter, it can be recycled.
The shoebox is made specifically for the Air Max Royal 01, which Huang also designed. The shoes – which are also made only from recycled materials and are said to be the lightest ever Air Max 1 – were unveiled alongside designs by Marc Newson and Riccardo Tisci.
“We love Flynit as a technology,” says Huang. “It gives designers a new canvas to create cool, while lowering environmental impact. We want to be associated with that and are glad that we are a part of this revolution.”
It’s a revolution that also perfectly blends aesthetics and renewable materials. “The net result of this tech are some of Nike’s lightest, high performance shoes launched into the market with an infinite possibility of being sexy,” concludes Huang.
The NikeLab Air Max 1 Royal is available now in Greater China, including at INVINCIBLE in Taipai City, Taiwan, and April 13 globally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2VzHm6eOOM
all images and video courtesy of Nike