The Eco-Friendly Shoe Revolution: Meet the Entrepreneur Turning Plastic Waste into Fashionable Footwear

Ashay Bhave, a 24-year-old entrepreneur, has created a new sustainable shoe brand called "Thaely," which is quickly gaining popularity among environmentally conscious consumers. What sets Thaely apart from other shoe brands is that their products are made from a unique leather-like fabric that Bhave developed using recycled plastic bags, bottles, and rubber. Bhave's inspiration for starting Thaely came from a desire to create a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional leather sneakers. The aim of the exercise was to find a solution to the problem of the 100 billion plastic bags used each year that use 12 million barrels of oil and kill 100,000 marine animals annually. Bhave knew that he could make a difference by creating a new material that would be eco-friendly and also provide the same quality and durability as leather. Bhave spent two years researching and experimenting with different materials before finally creating a leather-like fabric that met his high standards. He approached a local shoe repairer in India to handcraft each pair of shoes using his innovative material, ensuring that they were both sustainable and high-quality. In today's time, the brand recycles 10 plastic bags and 15 plastic bottles to make one pair of shoes. They’ve recycled more than 50,000 plastic carry bags and 48,000 discarded plastic bottles to date. Thaely's products are not only environmentally friendly but also stylish. The sneakers have already attracted a loyal following, with customers praising the brand's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.