Rond

Until now, most of the pointe shoes making process still possesses the same method as a hundred years ago. Furthermore, even kids and teenagers can start to wear pointe shoes if they are physically advanced enough, Due to heavy practices and rehearsals, the numbers of pointe shoe disposal always increases. The process is still linear. Once they are broken, they need to change to another new pair and throw the old one since they cannot be used anymore. Additionally, broken pointe shoes are forbidden to wear since the toe box becomes soft which cannot support the feet while doing pointe or it will cause any injuries. Moreover, pointe shoes are expensive but still require constant buying due to their short life which is not sustainable in terms of money and environment. The project came up with an idea which is Rond, a sustainable ballet pointe shoes made of recycled waste material. It will have a mobile application system that involves users to circulate the shoes, avoiding them to go into landfill. Rond means circle in french. It emphasizes the ballet shoes to be always circulated without generating any waste. The shoe will be designed for easy disassembling to allow recycling and reusing the parts. The support which is the combined toe box and shank will be made of recycled polycarbonate waste. Besides accessible, the material is recyclable and strong as well. It has higher yield strength which it molds the feet easily without deforming permanently (the support can withstand 200-700 psi based on FEA). The shoe fabric and the ribbon will be made from recycled PET. It will have holes to slip the ribbon, allowing it to be reused for the next pointe shoes production. The outer sole will be made from recycled tire waste, stitched below the shoe fabric. Rond is quite different compared to current pointe shoes. Users will put inside the support inside the shoe fabric first before they wear them, continuing by slipping the ribbon through the holes and tie them tightly on their legs. Although it is different, the outer appearance still reflects the classical and simplicity of original pointe shoes.