Beverage company and designer create Dirt Shoe that disintegrates in minutes

In New York, beverage company Yerba Madre and design studio Basura have partnered to create shoes out of dirt, organic fibers, and acacia gum that disintegrate and spread flower seeds as the person wearing then walks.

The designers readily admit the clog-like Dirt Shoe will only last a few minutes, so you probably shouldn’t throw them on to run errands. But Yerba Madre told Dezeen it hopes the Dirt Shoes “pique people’s interest” in yerba mate –  a traditional South American beverage made by steeping the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant in hot water.

Basura founder Rajeev Basu told Dezeen the aim was also to create a “surprising” shoe. “The idea of a highly-crafted, stylish sneaker you actually want, that happened to be made of soil, felt like a fun way to bring the idea to life.”