Indosole

Indosole represents a life of resourceful creation. The idea of turning tires into soles came from the Indonesian people, and their inspiration remains at the center of Indosole's business culture. Kyle Parsons has involved the local community every step of the way. With operational headquarters in Bali, Indosole takes tires from mechanics and landfills in both Indonesia and the United States. They upcycle these indestructible tires into the soles of their durable, creative sandals. Though cutting soles out of tires is a great recycling tactic, Indosole is taking steps towards an even more sustainable production process. They pride themselves in using sustainable manufacturing processes without the use of traditional fuel powered machines, which further reduces their impact. This fuel-free technology can grind the pieces of the tires that aren't used for soles of shoes, and turn them into other useful goods like mats or asphalt. This extra step gives tires a better option than ending up as fuel or landfill waste. When tires are burned as fuel, toxic fumes are released into the atmosphere. When they're thrown away, they last for millions of years and take up large amounts of space in our landfills and leach harmful chemicals into the ground. Plus, the water that collects in these tires is a major breeding ground for insects like mosquitoes who can carry deadly diseases. By diverting these tires from entering the landfill in the first place, both local ecosystems and people benefit. Indosole has made a conscious effort to employ those who can relate most to their product and who are most affected by their impact. Their headquarters offices in both San Francisco and Bali bring a multicultural element to the brand. In 2014, they became B Certified Corporation, which is only given to brands who meet the rigorous standards of social and environmental performance required by the B Lab organization. Along with over 1,000 certified companies using business as a force for good, Indosole openly provides information on their production and operation practices, keeping their customers in the loop.