Blumaka Insoles: Turning Foam Waste into Superior Performance

By Stuart Jenkins, Chief Innovation Officer, Blumaka

Our name, Blumaka, means "Blue Earth," and we’re committed to living up to that name.

At Blumaka, we’re turning an environmental problem into a breakthrough by crafting our insoles from 85% recycled foam. Foam, a type of plastic, is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its complex two-part composition, which prevents it from being melted down like simpler plastics, such as those used in water bottles. While water bottles can be recycled into new bottles or fabric threads, foam's structure is akin to a scrambled egg, with no existing method to separate its components effectively. Even with all the science in the world you still can’t unscramble an egg.

The two most commonly used foams in footwear, EVA and PU, are made similar to baking a cake — but with a lot more chemicals and a lot less yum. For EVA foam, you mix two main ingredients, and when you add a special “rising agent,” it puffs up into a lightweight, soft material that’s perfect for making your shoes feel cushy. PU foam is a bit different: it’s like whipping up a cake batter with some extra science thrown in. You mix in some more yucky chemicals, and depending on the recipe, you can end up with a foam that’s either soft and squishy or firm and supportive. Both types of foam are used in running shoes.

These types of foam, often referred to as “virgin foam,” are used to produce 99.99% of all athletic footwear. The typical end-of-life scenario for waste and scrap foam discarded from the footwear industry is to be burned or buried in a landfill. Unbelievably, up to 50% of the foam produced for footwear ends up as scraps, leading to millions of tons of perfectly good foam being wasted. Blumaka steps in to divert this foam from the burn pile or garbage dump. In our recycling process, we preserve the foam’s performance properties and repurpose it to create high-quality athletic footwear insoles and lifestyle footwear.

From Waste to Great Insoles

Each year, the athletic footwear industry generates millions of tons of foam waste, much of which ends up in landfills. At Blumaka, we transform this discarded foam into something powerful: insoles that not only protect your body from impact but also help reduce plastic waste worldwide.

Our insoles are crafted from recycled foam, designed to last up to 10 times longer than conventional options. Guaranteed to provide cushioning for 1,000 miles, they offer unmatched durability and performance. By using recycled foam, we reduce the need for virgin materials—every ounce of foam we recycle means one less ounce of virgin foam that needs to be produced. Ounce by ounce, we’re building a more sustainable future.

Why You Should Choose Blumaka:

• Superior Performance: Engineered to outperform traditional every other insole on the market, our designs ensure comfort and performance for up to 1,000 miles.
• Durability is Sustainability: The longer our insoles last, the fewer new materials and carbon are required to make them. By lasting ten times longer than most insoles, this recycled product has the lowest carbon footprint of any insole on the market.
• Economically Smart: High quality doesn’t have to come with a high price. Our competitively priced insoles prove that choosing better doesn’t have to cost more.
• Environmentally Sound: By using recycled foam, we reduce landfill waste, cut down on air pollution, and minimize the need for new materials, making our insoles a sustainable choice for the environment.

Join the Blu Movement

Opt for Blumaka and join a community dedicated to exceptional performance and environmental responsibility. While we’re not claiming perfection, our products are a significant step towards better planetary health. Every purchase is a step towards a more sustainable future.

Where great insoles meet great intentions.

Choose wisely—choose Blumaka.

#MovewithBlu