Our Sustainability Roadmap – Where We’ve Come From and Where We’re Going
[ Story ]
Article
At Sneaker LAB, sustainability is in our DNA. It's baked into every product we create,
every partnership we nurture, and every step we take forward. From the microbial
technology that powers our cleaners to the recyclable packaging that houses them,
sustainability moves through our purpose, and it has since day one. As we’ve grown,
we have come to realise that we’re leading a movement and with this responsibility, we
find our clarity, purpose, and innovation.
The world is waking up. Climate change and overconsumption have moved from
distant concerns to everyday conversations. We’ve been on this path from the start,
with progress as a tangible, urgent necessity, over any kind of abstract ideal.
When Sneaker LAB was founded, sustainability wasn’t necessarily cool. It wasn’t an
Instagram aesthetic or a sales pitch, “from the outset, sustainability was a
necessity for Sneaker LAB’s longevity,” shares our founder, Jo Farah. “I saw early
on that the cleaning industry needed innovation, not imitation. That meant
digging deep into sustainable technologies with real efficacy.” What he
discovered was microbial biotechnology—a solution that would redefine how we think
about clean.
Rather than relying on harsh, toxic chemicals that pollute waterways and harm
ecosystems, we turned to nature’s own toolbox. We embraced biodegradable, living
cleaning agents—probiotic microbes that work in harmony with the environment. This
has been our primary product: demonstrating, by virtue of what it is, that ecological
consciousness is a design principle that stands above the rest. These intelligent
organisms break down dirt and odour at a molecular level, continuing to work long after
the initial application; science, in the service of nature.
A green cleaning formula was only the beginning.
We knew that to walk the talk, our
sustainability approach had to be holistic and uncompromising. So we set our
non-negotiables early: packaging made from up cycled and recyclable materials, radical
plastic reduction across production lines, responsible sourcing from start to finish and a
focus on durability over disposability.
This foundation laid the groundwork for what we now call a new culture of care. A culture in which sneakers are restored, and resources stretch further. We have seen firsthand how each small decision adds up to a profound shift in consumption.
As we grew, so did our mission. As Sneaker LAB expanded into international markets, our sustainability standards expanded too. “As Sneaker LAB grew, our sustainability journey broadened to include global sustainability trends, particularly in Europe,” Jo explains. “That meant pioneering in areas like upcycled plastics, fully recyclable packaging, and contributing to a circular economy.” Our marginal adjustments have equated to fundamental reimaginings.
We overhauled our production systems, sourcing bottles made with up to 40% recycled content and ensuring full recyclability across our product range. We examined every corner of our supply chain for carbon impact, tweaking design and delivery for better efficiency. We made the shift to energy-efficient manufacturing, tapping into renewable sources whenever possible—and we restructured our digital systems to reduce paper and shipping waste, making us leaner, faster, and more environmentally aligned.
This foundation laid the groundwork for what we now call a new culture of care. A culture in which sneakers are restored, and resources stretch further. We have seen firsthand how each small decision adds up to a profound shift in consumption.
As we grew, so did our mission. As Sneaker LAB expanded into international markets, our sustainability standards expanded too. “As Sneaker LAB grew, our sustainability journey broadened to include global sustainability trends, particularly in Europe,” Jo explains. “That meant pioneering in areas like upcycled plastics, fully recyclable packaging, and contributing to a circular economy.” Our marginal adjustments have equated to fundamental reimaginings.
We overhauled our production systems, sourcing bottles made with up to 40% recycled content and ensuring full recyclability across our product range. We examined every corner of our supply chain for carbon impact, tweaking design and delivery for better efficiency. We made the shift to energy-efficient manufacturing, tapping into renewable sources whenever possible—and we restructured our digital systems to reduce paper and shipping waste, making us leaner, faster, and more environmentally aligned.
“The pandemic accelerated the global shift towards sustainability.”
By leaning into circular economy thinking, we asked a new set of questions: What if
waste was never waste? What if packaging could be reused, returned, or even
composted? What if the very act of cleaning could become regenerative?
The COVID-19 pandemic was a rupture in the routines of everyday life that caused consumers and companies alike to reflect and reassess. For many, it was the first time they had considered how their products were made, packaged, and shipped. For us, it was a moment of validation. “The pandemic accelerated the global shift towards sustainability,” Jo says. “And it positioned Sneaker LAB at the forefront of the fashion care space.”
We stood out, because we weren’t scrambling to adapt—we were already living the future, others were just beginning to imagine. Quickly, recognition followed. Collaborations with global giants like Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior, Nike, and New Balance were huge honours for us, that also signalled a sea change. Our biotech cleaning solutions became synonymous with luxury, while simultaneously advancing the conversation around sustainability that are always carrying with us. It proved that fashion and sustainability could be powerful allies in the fight for a better planet.
While external validation is gratifying, our proudest achievements remain internal. Today, every single Sneaker LAB bottle contains up to 40% recycled material. Our team continues to innovate across the board—from packaging to process to product.
We’ve digitised our workflows to reduce energy use, switched to renewable energy in our factories, and launched tree planting initiatives that rebuild ecosystems and empower local communities. Our products are low-impact alternatives to traditional chemical cleaners. Our processes reduce water usage and prevent harmful runoff. Our packaging minimises landfill waste and embraces recyclability. Our commitment to renewable energy and reforestation closes the loop. Everything we’ve done so far is just the beginning.
“Upcoming products will enable refreshing apparel without washing, saving time, water, energy, and money,” says Jo. Think of it as dry cleaning—without the chemicals or the cost.
This is the frontier we’re walking into: waterless apparel refreshers, refillable packaging systems, community-powered return programs, and local sourcing models that cut emissions and create sustainable employment.
At first glance, Sneaker LAB appears to be a product range, but we reckon what we’re doing is more akin to building a collective philosophy. We’re using products, people and entrepreneurship to get there, as we send out a call to action. Our community is a wide array of people who believe that care can be radical—that the way we clean, wear, and restore our things says something about who we are and the world we want to live in.
We encourage you to ask where your products come from, demand more from the brands you support and—walk with us as we continue creating a culture of care.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a rupture in the routines of everyday life that caused consumers and companies alike to reflect and reassess. For many, it was the first time they had considered how their products were made, packaged, and shipped. For us, it was a moment of validation. “The pandemic accelerated the global shift towards sustainability,” Jo says. “And it positioned Sneaker LAB at the forefront of the fashion care space.”
We stood out, because we weren’t scrambling to adapt—we were already living the future, others were just beginning to imagine. Quickly, recognition followed. Collaborations with global giants like Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior, Nike, and New Balance were huge honours for us, that also signalled a sea change. Our biotech cleaning solutions became synonymous with luxury, while simultaneously advancing the conversation around sustainability that are always carrying with us. It proved that fashion and sustainability could be powerful allies in the fight for a better planet.
While external validation is gratifying, our proudest achievements remain internal. Today, every single Sneaker LAB bottle contains up to 40% recycled material. Our team continues to innovate across the board—from packaging to process to product.
We’ve digitised our workflows to reduce energy use, switched to renewable energy in our factories, and launched tree planting initiatives that rebuild ecosystems and empower local communities. Our products are low-impact alternatives to traditional chemical cleaners. Our processes reduce water usage and prevent harmful runoff. Our packaging minimises landfill waste and embraces recyclability. Our commitment to renewable energy and reforestation closes the loop. Everything we’ve done so far is just the beginning.
“Upcoming products will enable refreshing apparel without washing, saving time, water, energy, and money,” says Jo. Think of it as dry cleaning—without the chemicals or the cost.
This is the frontier we’re walking into: waterless apparel refreshers, refillable packaging systems, community-powered return programs, and local sourcing models that cut emissions and create sustainable employment.
At first glance, Sneaker LAB appears to be a product range, but we reckon what we’re doing is more akin to building a collective philosophy. We’re using products, people and entrepreneurship to get there, as we send out a call to action. Our community is a wide array of people who believe that care can be radical—that the way we clean, wear, and restore our things says something about who we are and the world we want to live in.
We encourage you to ask where your products come from, demand more from the brands you support and—walk with us as we continue creating a culture of care.
[ Follow ]
