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“There are 300,000,000 pairs of shoes thrown away each year in the U.S. alone. REMYXX speaks to the world that advocates better recycling, green initiative and sustainability.” – Gary Gagnon, founder of REMYXX sneakers
We have witnessed a number of Eco-friendly sneaker attempts from brands over the years, so what makes Gary Gagnon’s newly-designed REMYXX sneakers different? Minutes into our conversation with the North Carolina native, his enthusiasm for sustainability and recycling became genuinely evident. We recently caught up with Gagnon to discuss the upstart of REMYXX (available for pre-order on Kickstarter.com), the motive behind his new brand and the creative process in regards to manufacturing these 100% recyclable shoes. Check out our full conversation with Gary Gagnon below.
**Note** To learn more about?REMYXX sneakers, tune in to ABC’s Shark Tank tomorrow, as Gary Gagnon will be a special guest on the show at 8 PM EST.
Nice Kicks: How would you describe REMYXX sneakers for those that do not know anything about your brand?
Gary Gagnon: REMYXX not only represents design and fashion but also awareness and sustainability. It’s solely about being different and making a project that matters. If I couldn’t make a sneaker that was 100% recyclable from the beginning, then there was no point to continue. There are 300,000,000 pairs of shoes thrown away each year in the U.S. alone. REMYXX speaks to the world that advocates better recycling, green initiative and sustainability.
Nice Kicks: What, specifically, are REMYXX sneakers comprised of?
Gary Gagnon: It’s a proprietary, self-formulated polyresin content. I got a chemist involved right from the beginning to help me dial in to what I wanted to do. The bottom is also made of another blend of polyresin content.
Nice Kicks: Is this polyresin content durable?
Gary Gagnon: Definitely. I wouldn’t put it up there with leather or canvas, but it’s right up there with anything that you’re wearing after that durability-wise. It has a canvas feel to it, and the bottom has a rubber feel to it. They’re not going to last you forever, but I have three-year-old pairs that are still in good shape.
What was the most challenging aspect of creating these shoes?
Gary Gagnon: Finding the right materials for the chemicals and substances that I needed was one of the easiest parts, but the most difficult part was applying that to a sneaker construction. My shoes are made in a sneaker factory just like others, but I have a proprietary manufacturing process that creates something different than your everyday sneaker canvas. I wanted it to be lab-certified and technically proven. At the end of its life cycle, these shoes can be made into similar-content product.
Nice Kicks: When did you begin the development of REMYXX sneakers?
Gary Gagnon: I began the development in July of 2009.
