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Sustainable Cleats
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S23 3298 | Sustainable Design (Pilot)
Min Kang
Thomas Feuillet
Cleats are essential for athletes, but they’re often made from plastics and synthetic materials that end up in landfills after a single season. This project reimagines the sports cleat through a sustainability lens exploring renewable materials, modular construction, and designs that extend product life.
Mapping the System, Finding the Gaps
Through Whole System Mapping and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the team identified where the environmental impact is highest — synthetic materials, adhesives, and inefficient production.
The insight: sustainability isn’t just about using new materials — it’s about designing products that last longer, travel less, and adapt with the user.
Rethinking the Cleat: Sustainable Performance for Every Step
Soccer cleats are built for speed — but not for sustainability. Most pairs last a single season before ending up in landfills, made from petroleum-based plastics, heavy adhesives, and composite soles that resist recycling.
A cleat’s journey from production to disposal touches countless unsustainable points — petroleum extraction, toxic coatings, global shipping, and short use cycles.
Greener Materials, Smarter Design
