Sneaker Impact News

Particle Play: Transforming Waste into Innovative Design | Amanda Rawlings & Krissy Harbert

• Bryan The Botanist, Bryan Huberty • Season 1 • Episode 44

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Sneaker Impact News: Designing Sustainability with Particle Play Co-Founders

In Episode 44 of Sneaker Impact News, host Bryan welcomes Krissy Harbert and Amanda Rawlings, co-founders of Particle Play. The discussion covers their backgrounds, the creation, and mission of Particle Play—transforming post-consumer and industrial waste into innovative brand environments and products. They emphasize sustainability, local partnerships, and community building within design. Bryan and his guests discuss various upcycling projects and the challenges of introducing eco-friendly materials in mainstream markets. They also share their personal passions and sustainable practices. Join for an inspiring conversation on pushing the boundaries of sustainable environmental design.

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2023 Brand Launch

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Bryan the Botanist:

Welcome back to Sneaker Impact News. My special guests today are Krissy Harbert and Amanda Rowlings, the co-founder of Particle Play. Welcome ladies. How are you?

Amanda Rawlings:

Great.

Krissy Harbert:

Good.

Bryan the Botanist:

Awesome. Yeah, so excited to have you both on today. Let's start off with quick introductions of who you are and then let's jump into the conversation. Krissy Harbert is creative director of particle play. And she's a licensed architect. She's been the design director at Nike and Mejuri, specializing in crafting immersive experiences in the physical space, weaving narratives that energize brands through sensory engagement and building deep connections between brands and people. Amanda Rawlings is CEO and Director of Creative Operations at Particle Play. She's formerly the VP of Creative Operations and the founder of Azure Design and Sundown Studios previously at Nike as well, and leading agencies focused on transforming post-consumer and industrial waste into compelling brand environments and circular products through sustainable production. So I'm just hearing words going off that we love to hear at Sneaker Impact about sustainability and about reducing waste. My goal is to share who particle plays and all the incredible stuff you're up to and to have people really get to know you. So let's jump into it. Where do we start?

Amanda Rawlings:

Thank you for having much, Bryan Um, up You where, wherever you'd like like to start.

Bryan the Botanist:

Well, let's start with, uh, what is Particle Play? What exactly do you guys do?

Amanda Rawlings:

Particle plays is our, um, R&D and kind of our, our baby that we've been fostering over the the last five years, trying to turn post-industrial and post-consumer waste from brands into architectural and, um, inspired environments and products. Um, so anywhere brand retail environments to consumer products, um, whether that be in, you know, a uh, hospitality space or residential space or gallery.

Bryan the Botanist:

Very cool. Anything to add? Krissy.

Krissy Harbert:

No, I think Amanda covered it. Yeah, we're um, we love to get inspired by whatever we use whatever material is waste from a brand or from consumers, and find ways, new lives, and just bring new energy into people's space.

Bryan the Botanist:

really Cool. Let's tell everyone how we met.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, no, I'm happy to. So, um, it was kind of random, but really, really fantastic. Um, I live in New City and was neighbors during COVID with Jimmy and Bryan Um, guys are running partners. Correct. so Jimmy reached out and said, Hey, he's doing a of work in sustainability in in Miami. We'd love to have you down, what we're doing, seeing what we're up to. And Amanda and and I hopped on a like the next and came down and saw Sneaker Impact, met the team, and we were just really to collaborate together.

Amanda Rawlings:

It came at an an awesome time just because we've been having some issues, finding more local partners and opening up the door to Sneaker Impact and all the that you all have, as well as, um, some of of other sustainable that Jimmy is working with that introduce us Geared For Just,

Bryan the Botanist:

So cool. How we're all part of the same community and friends through friends. And you got to come by our facility in Little River and meet our founder, moe Hachem. What were your thoughts on getting to know the Sneaker Impact family and touring our facility

Amanda Rawlings:

uh, I can just start off by saying, I think it was really inspiring to us. We toured a lot of around the world, um, from Portugal to different facilities, um, in the US and we just have never seen that really is so grassroots and, uh, how excited Mo is and passionate about space, um, how driven he to help with, um, bringing together different brands and relationships. Um, but just innovation behind the machinery he's create, you guys are all creating and the sourcing. Um, and then just kind of the, discussions we're having about continuing to evolve the types of, uh, products we were able to make, but just haven't seen anything like that in the US and so it was really, really cool to see that and see that's happening and see how we can be involved.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, totally. And if I could paint a picture like entering into the warehouse and seeing like the amount of footwear that has the capability to be upcycled, it was really just like giant warehouse, just full of product that post-consumer. And it's really inspiring

Bryan the Botanist:

come on in Moe. So welcome to the podcast, Mo. I'm gonna have to share the mic with you here. Okay.

Krissy Harbert:

Good to see you. you.

Bryan the Botanist:

Good to to see you guys. Hi guys. Yeah, so we're just talking about how the ladies came for a tour about a month ago. They've been following up with us via email and phone about opportunities to work together and about sourcing materials and using them. So Moe krissy and Amanda, take over for me. We're gonna change the world. One Sneaker at a time, man. One polymer at a time.

Krissy Harbert:

Exactly.

Amanda Rawlings:

Also all the apparel waste. have huge bins of that. And started experimenting with, um, apparel board, and our collection of Milan show you as well, just using different types of materials. But that was really exciting to see. And just the capabilities you have to grind sneakers and all the different parts of shoe as well as, um, separate apparel and even to source like where the footwear came from, the work that doing overseas with, um, creating other economies third world countries with, selling reselling sneakers that aren't completely demolished. But then with sneakers that are too used to be able to sell again in in those several countries, to be able to, uh, recycle those and then, you know, turn it into grind that we could use for furniture really, really compelling and really exciting for us. And just something we never knew was possible in the us So we were really, really pumped to see that.

Bryan the Botanist:

Uh, so I think, I think the ultimate goal, you know, we started with the grinding and shredding here of of the footwear separating foam, rubber, plastic, and textile. Now, the biggest challenge we're both gonna have, are we able to manufacture here in the And this should be the ultimate goal, you know, manufacturing the states. And we know there's some costs involved and we know there's some hurdles, but, uh, to Amanda yesterday, I mean, we've both decided that it's. it's. Uh, you know, a press machine or, uh, uh, just the different machinery for the foam, uh, from the rebound foam, meaning make big and big blocks and just cutting as we need foam pieces. Same thing with the rubber. I think the ultimate goal for both of us to have, uh, a contractor or, or doing it ourselves, right? Manufacture the product to our needs here if it's New Jersey, California, you know, Miami, we'll find a spot. But this would be the ultimate goal. But what you guys are doing, you know, integrating art into waste, I mean, this is a story to be told and looking forward to having that like on LinkedIn and, and our social media and let the whole world know this is from here. Our waste, our machinery, our production, our architects, you know, our beauty. So it's, it's a beautiful

Amanda Rawlings:

Mm-hmm. Better.

Bryan the Botanist:

Well guys, sorry to intrude. I just wanted to say hi and I mean, really looking forward how we're gonna work together and just, you know, change this ecosystem. You know, one polymer, one foam polymer, one rubber polymer at a time. It's Add the textile. Yeah,

Amanda Rawlings:

Yes. Yes. Yes. We're very excited.

Bryan the Botanist:

Alright guys. Thanks. Thanks. Good luck, Bryan. Yeah, thank you. Wow. What a great, uh, that was, uh, unexpected. We didn't plan that. Thank you, Moe. That was our, just, that's how cool this, and, um, this is all because of Moe, you know, and, and, Krissy and Amanda that were able to do this. I'm, I just, I'm sharing their story and helping you guys get to know them, so I'm so excited. because sustainability is one of my passions. So I think you can hear it in all of our voices today. Um, so that was a really cool moment to get the founder of Particle Play, the two founders, the two ladies and the founder, Sneaker Impact. Um, and I know you guys had a call yesterday and you're up to some cool stuff together. Um, meanwhile I work in the running world and, uh, help, you know, source a lot, a lot of the sneakers through, um, you know, our, our partnerships with, um, you know, we're in a, a couple thousand retail locations nationwide. So that's what I'm, I'm helping a lot with in the background and the most, the mad scientists of Sneaker Impact. He's always working on the technology and the grinding and the the machinery and the, um, and also some of the great partnerships we're involved with. So, um, anything you guys wanna add before we jump forward in the next section?

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah, just, I mean, to be able to get on phone with you, Bryan and and Moe this week and on projects that we're developing. Um, it just comes really cool time because most of of our studios focus on R&D. been able to, um, really work with brands solve their problems with sustainability just because of, um, the issues with some of the domestic manufacturing and just not being close to home and a little too expensive and out of reach. Um, and so just being able to, you know, you guys on the phone and ask, well, can we we get this certain brand's products they're interested in seeing that as part of their materials that we're launching and retail, just connecting all those dots is, really, really cool and comes a really great time for us as we're expanding our So thank you guys so much.

Bryan the Botanist:

No, I mean, we can tell how serious you guys are and how committed, because we have a lot of visitors and we love everyone, and then it's all about staying in touch, you know what I mean? And we gotta keep the conversation going and we have to like, circle back every couple weeks plus expressing like, Hey, we can work together. Like everyone that comes in here, we wanna work with everyone, like, and just connect everyone. And that's what Jimmy did connected us. So shout out to Jimmy, um, Holmquist. And uh, okay. So let's move forward. Um, tell us about your journey, like, um, Amanda, you were saying that you're in, in New York City right now. And, um, Chrissy, where are you out of?

Krissy Harbert:

It's opposite. So I am, uh, I'm based in New York City. No, no, it's okay. I'm based in New York. Um, Amanda's got West Coast covered based in Newport Beach. Um, yeah, so I can, I can into a a bit

Bryan the Botanist:

Yeah, tell us about like where you guys were born and then I wanna learn more about your journey and um, you know, how you got evolved into particle play.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, definitely. Um, so I was in Portland, Oregon. My family is from Oregon, Eugene, and Portland. But I was raised in, uh, Omaha, Nebraska, so grew up primarily in Omaha. Um, and then I ended up going to college at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. I always loved design, so I ended up my master in ma, master's in architecture from uh, UNL. And then I ended up back the the west coast, um, working at architecture firms. I got licensed and eventually being in, based Portland, Oregon. Um, I lived in Portland for about six, and a half years. Um, I ended up working for Nike, so yeah, so. Started as a D which is like a low mid designer. Worked my way up design director and then was moved to New York to start the New York City design studio for Nike ba uh, focusing on retail design. And, um, that really, you know, spearheaded a lot of the work and sustainability and the passion because through all of work, seeing so installation, all of these environments being built, but they're also taken down. So there's a lot of waste involved in, you know, retail design and that type work. Installations, activations, popups, um, these things go up. They come down. And so that really inspired Amanda and I to put our heads together and think like, what's one baby step that we take to move forward? And then eventually we're gonna continue to scale what our ideas are and how we can impact this type of

Bryan the Botanist:

Wow.

Krissy Harbert:

I'll pass it to Amanda.

Bryan the Botanist:

Yeah. That's so cool. The evolution. Yeah. Amanda, tell us about your, where you were born.

Amanda Rawlings:

So I'm from San Clemente, California, um, in southern California by the beach. Grew up at the Um, always was really, uh, passionate about ocean and beaches and did cleanups and surfing. Um, was a swimmer, so just really involved in the coast and that life. Um, really wanted to to be a marine biologist I was a kid, so interested in science, but as I, um, got into high school, was really inspired by teacher that I I had who introduced me to sustainable design and architecture and environmental design. And so. Um, that's what I pursued in my education as well in architecture, focusing at University of Oregon, sustainable design, um, and interior design. And then from there, actually got into, um, brand experience pretty early on as category was Um, out of college, just interested in brands and brand environments, um, interested in fashion and art and how those things connected with design. But it was really, um, really always involved in more of project management production side. Um, and so just really grew like through, um, agencies and then ended up, uh, meeting Christie at Nike as well in 2018. And then, um. Started another small studio production, um, which led us to where we're now particle play, we're kind of emerging all of our talents and our experience together to bring a studio in-house focuses on brand experience and environmental retail design, production events and activations. But particle play is really our, our passion, our our R&D studio, um, trying bring sustainability into the other types of, uh, that we do. And so whether our brand is interested or not, it's been cool to to meld those worlds together in the last year and start to offer our clients other sustainable options and, um, designer production services. But, um, we met in 2000, or we started particle play type of initiative in 2020 during COVID when we were. Uh, stuck at home trying to reimagine our spaces, our small environments. We're both in New York City and so. a lot of of conversation around, um, know, driving change and all the, the situation of where we're at in the world, but also trying to bring some of of the sustain, sustainable, recycled materials that we're with in retail into our home environments how we we can provide certain products for, um, people like us and really inspire and create community and conversation around sustainability while having these artful So it's led us to where we are today with actually trying to pursue more of a conversation with brands, trying to their post-industrial and post-consumer waste and reimagine that their retail, for any kind of, um, products they would want to create, like fixtures or furniture in store. Um, and just kind of blend those worlds and offer, um, a to brands as well as consumers like ourselves.

Bryan the Botanist:

Very cool. I love how you work with brands and creating that experience for the public and how you incorporate everything from interior designed art to sustainability. And I'm looking at a couple of the photos you sent me, um, in advance, and I know we're gonna have some videos to share too. But, um, I'm looking at this table that you guys created. It's incredible. Uh, do you wanna talk at all about that?

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah, go ahead Chris.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, definitely. Um,

Bryan the Botanist:

up right now for the viewers.

Krissy Harbert:

great. Yeah, so we initially started working with, um, Sneaker. Um, like E-V-A-E-D-P-M, different types of, uh, footwear out soles. And, um, we did a little bit of work with upholstery, creating furniture, um, pressing that board form and then building furniture. Um, and then, so we just continued, we wanted to expand, like, let's, let's some objects. So Milan was kind of an R&D ground for us to look at denim waste. And so that, that project was really exciting because it's a pressed denim and it's all waste and upcycled scraps,

Bryan the Botanist:

a hundred percent like jeans and jackets and stuff like that.

Krissy Harbert:

yeah, mixed with a binding agent. So a binding agent plus.

Bryan the Botanist:

Wow.

Krissy Harbert:

Um, impressed into a board it, it's really cool because, um, so we showcase in, uh, a design fair in Milan for design week. And it was really cool because people initially thought it was marble, um, from just like

Bryan the Botanist:

does. Look, I saw it at Sneaker Impact. It's hard, you know, hard enough that it could be a countertop and it looks very nice. Very, very luxurious. Yeah, very

Krissy Harbert:

very durable.

Bryan the Botanist:

durable.

Krissy Harbert:

Um, exactly. we, um, yeah, it was really fun to have conversations. were really shocked when we said that it was made out of denim. Um, and so it's been a a really fun of evolution to start to get into new types materials and really push the boundaries what we can do and how we transform waste into art and objects.

Bryan the Botanist:

And I've got a particle, uh, piece right here from that you left with us in the samples.

Krissy Harbert:

Yes, we have coaster line, um, have got coasters and place mats and um, we're, we're slowly building up sort of, um, a homeware collection.

Bryan the Botanist:

So cool. So you can make furniture, you can even make building materials. You can obviously make retail settings. You can make many things. And just like we're finding with, and, and we can work in your materials you're using can, well, we'll get into that in a second. I'm getting so excited. I'm getting outta myself. Um, do you wanna talk about, um, um, any brand partnerships in particular and how you've helped and consulted with those brands that with particle play.

Amanda Rawlings:

We just had a a meeting yesterday, um, with another brand that, um, is in California area, but has, you know, uh, not a US or worldwide presence. Um, materials like this where it's recycled, polystyrene, even mixing in some of their own footwear waste. Um. Is really, really So we presented to them yesterday some samples of of recycled materials for different, um, retail kit parts, some mannequin platform displays, um, furniture tables, maybe a point of sale counter, tabletop type fixtures that we'll be working with them on um, for their retail, but also potentially mixing in their, um, industrial waste. They're demoing, um, 11 eight to 11 store I believe this year. So taking some of the recycled fixtures and some of recy, the products that's not gonna sell through where that would just usually be going to, you somewhere we don't know of where they're maybe recycling it, maybe not. We could actually turn it into a new product their stores. Um, and it's very compelling story for them and their brand. So they're really, really excited about the products that we're working on. Um, but that was recent yesterday. And then Chrissy, I don't know wanted to to elaborate on any other, um, projects that we have in the mix.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah. Um, you know, honestly, with every single project that we have, and right now we're doing a lot of work Nike and Jordan, what we try to do is look at opportunity and constantly just. to push the boundaries. So if there is opportunity in an that we're working on to use recycled product or to upcycle waste, um, we're just constantly trying to try to be responsible in the work. Um, so for example, if, if it's not necessarily working upcycled material, we'll, will present, um, you know. know, Acrylics that are recycled or we're, we're trying to do, make baby steps and push the boundaries of, um, you know, making things more sustainable. Um, and a lot of that actually is about reusing, existing elements in space. So rather than redesign completely, like how can we take a a at what's there and potentially have a a mannequin platform rewrapped versus build a new one? So our mindset around design is all encompassing when comes to sustainability. Um, but we are also trying to pitch like, Hey, let's work with your waste. Let's build some new fixtures. build some new materials. But the responsibility also comes in the form of what can we leverage that's existing if we don't need to build new.

Bryan the Botanist:

Yeah, that's true. We have to be very mindful, I think is a good word too, of our impact. Um, I was just talking yesterday with the Chicago Marathon who we're partnered with, and I read a study online about the, um, carbon impact of training and racing a marathon like the New York City Marathon. It was an example, it was a study done by, sorry for this tangent, but it's the same thing in the design world with interior design and with brands, um, that are doing retail is what is the environmental impact? How much carbon are they spending by re redoing this versus reusing it, um, the materials and keeping some of the stuff, keeping it local versus it's just completely going in the trash. Let's take. let's reuse what we can. Let's reimagine it. Uh, you know, it doesn't have to, and let's get mindful instead of, you know, think like that's a question I kind of have now is how excited and how much, how all, what type of commitment level are the brands? You know, some of these bigger brands like Nike that have gotten a bad reputation in the past in some respects, you know, in terms of social responsibility. I know the times have changed. Um, can we, can we chat a little bit about, um, like greenwashing and how this is different and, and what you feel like Nike and Jordan and some of these other brands are doing now to show their commitment to sustainability? And how has that changed in the last five to 10 to 20 years?

Amanda Rawlings:

Um, I guess we really speak on the, the level brands'cause we're not internal anymore, so it's hard to communicate all of those, um, goals that they have. But I'll say that like, in conversations a lot of our clients and the that we're working directly with, they are very motivated to those changes. Whether that that comes from a leadership or not, I don't, I can't speak to that, we can't speak to that. But I do think like our community and the people, the brands and the clients we're working with one-to-one are very interested in sustainable options. Um, I think it comes down to, um, timelines and then like budget that they have. Sometimes is is actually not. Um, it's not one-on-one with the other, know, types of of materials we can source. it might be a bit more expensive,

Bryan the Botanist:

what I was gonna say. Is it more expensive and are they in on that? You know, like,

Amanda Rawlings:

It's more expensive. And that's been a a challenge us, right, because, um, I think that there's not a a really understanding of locally sourced, um, materials or options within our space in retail and some of these faster turn, um, experiential projects. And so that's another thing we have on our agenda, like, um, you know, within the next couple of years is to open up the, um, some of of the technology for designers sourcing, um, and trying to, and, you know, trying to build, uh, a kind of portal and bridge between what's available, um, between, you know, locally sourced different recycled materials or sustainable materials or more, you know, just healthier options, um, versus Some other custom, you know, design projects we could take with, you know, recycling and making new, um, products materials. But it's definitely of interest. I just think that there's a a barrier with the cost and, um, and you know, the understanding that, um, that brands have with, uh, what, what, what options are available.

Bryan the Botanist:

Yeah. So you do, you, you, you really pitched, but you're like, I'm sure I can tell, like pitching right away, sustainability, we gotta go sustainable. Right? That's like, that's how I would be.

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah, I think we just try to really, like a lot of the work that we do is also, uh, specking materials and coming up design and Chrissy leads that charge and is amazing at it. And I think we're just trying to like, keep finding to bring, um, you sustainable options into the, the designs. Whether or not that get, that ends up happening with the Uh, we're not always responsible for, but we do try to push the

Bryan the Botanist:

Of course. Awesome. Um, what does, and this could be for Chrissy or Amanda, what does sustainable environmental design mean to you?

Krissy Harbert:

You know, I, yeah, I think we should both it.'cause um, it's, it's interesting we both have like our unique perspective, obviously. to me it's really about, um, finding ways where we have a more circular economy, um, from a design lens, what I'm really excited about. within like sustainability is this idea of just outside of the box. So for example, who knew that footwear could be a really cool chair? And to me that kind sustainability is just like, how, how can you take what's existing and build new things that feel old, that don't feel tired? Like let's, let's make some inspirational elements, furniture. Let's take vintage chair, let's reupholster it in a new material and let's push the boundaries of what is sustainability. It's not always this idea of like, oh, that's, know, LEED certified and that's and that. like, no, it can actually be really exciting and fun.

Bryan the Botanist:

Love it.

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah. And I think that, um, and we, you know, a lot of the very exciting conversations we've had around show showcasing our material is just that conversation Christie mentioned like, footwear into furniture, denim into a table. You know, like that's really fun and people really excited about that. So that is a a huge angle, I think. And, um, something that we found is really Compelling, um, I around like production and the processes in which we work. Um, you know, it, I think just. also speaking back to what I was reiterating on before is that, um, some of the to materials and knowledge, um, with within our, within our community um, is an issue and just a, a barrier to access. So, uh, finding a material that we would want to source, um, is something that we're gonna keep trying to push, is providing access to our design team and other teams that we work Uh, where is the best place to source this material? Can we stock this and create, um, some more access? Um, and, you know, within the, the inhibitions of like the budgets and timelines, like how do we start to break this down and provide, um, our own type of, uh, infrastructure, right? So if we have a product in LA or New York, we're locally sourced material, we know what the costs are, we know where that's supplied, and we start create this like kind of Rolodex and. Um, making the, the options, uh, for more sustainable and more easily accessible. So that's kind of something that, um, you know, is top of mind for us as we continue to this work.

Bryan the Botanist:

That's so true. Like when you're sourcing for a project on the West coast, if you can find the materials on the west coast, it's superior to the East coast and much superior to something in another country that's gonna really take a lot of energy to get there. Um, and so that's really cool. Uh, You know, what's the creative process like at particle play, you know, from meeting the client or the first visit, um, and discussing it with the client of course. And it's a client collaboration with particle play. And then how, what, how does the rest of, what is that creative process like between you two founders, curious.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah. Um, I can talk a bit about the client. So there's kind of two approaches. One is that can go and approach a client, a client with an idea. So it might be a brand that does denim and say, Hey, we've been experimenting, we've been R&D, we've developed this, and here's an an idea for fixtures. The other way we work with brands is they approach us with designs an idea of what they would like. Um, and so example of that is we get idea of their inspiration, um, what it it looks like, how it's applied, and basically we'll work back refine what are the materials that we're gonna use, how can we source their own waste? Is that a possibility with within their timeline, we're still gonna push for recycled content, even if maybe it it means that their waste enters the stream. Like it lags like it's a bit later, but we're gonna use waste generally to design. Um, so we will work together to create a formulation, get the right colors, get the right mix, and then find the best manufacturing for whatever that fixture or element is. So it's kind of of twofold. Either we approach brands like, Hey, this is, this is this is interesting. Or, um, they reach out us and say, we know we want this thing. Can you help us make it a reality?

Bryan the Botanist:

Amazing. Uh, anything to add to that, Amanda?

Amanda Rawlings:

I think just, um, around circularity we're, uh, we're, come into some conversations around, uh, just how can, uh, offset carbon emissions within our own process. And that's something that we, um, are continuing to explore and hopefully something that Sneaker Impact can help us as well is just of the data tracking and and the analytics around where, how much waste the brand has, how much we are we could convert with them, uh, help them to convert almost like an R&D studio within the brands, offering them as like a partner to help facilitate that process. And the data and analytics are obviously a huge component of to your point as well, to help against greenwashing and provide stories for the brands. Um, and so while we don't have all that access now, that is something we, we really are, um, passionate about trying to create is, you know, uh, finding all the, data that goes around the car, the carbon offset for, uh, brands and with our own own process.

Bryan the Botanist:

Yeah. Um, I am running the Chicago Marathon in about two and a half months in early October, and it'll be my seventh Chicago and Nike is the shoe brand that is the exclusive brand of the Chicago Marathon. Um, and. done it before. So a couple years ago when I went, um, they had recycled participant shirts for everyone in the goodie bag. Instead of getting the traditional polyester, it was like 40% or 80% recycled, um, polyester, I believe. I was so glad to see in the area where they sell the merchandise to runners, and it was predominantly recycled materials. Like some of them were a hundred percent, and this was like in 2023. Is there any other creative upcycling projects you wanna highlight?

Amanda Rawlings:

We really would like to have some brand collaborations, um, in the future. I don't know if we wanna talk about that at all, but we are really excited about a kids line. And so, um, one of our goals in the next six months to, to have a working something that's sellable, um, with the brand collaboration. That's a, a huge, um, museum, art gallery. And so, um, just a new furniture line, something that be outdoor, maybe kids, is kind of what we're, uh, we're. uh, concepting right now. We'll start with our team, but, um, that would be maybe made of some of the the materials that we've been with, either the denim or the textiles. Um, maybe some of the recycled polystyrene or maybe some of the rubbers as well. So

Bryan the Botanist:

Where is polystyrene originally from? Is that styrofoam?

Amanda Rawlings:

it's kind of central board. A A lot of it's used in retail for big signage and display. Sometimes it's, you know, a lot of graphic, um, substrates, but, um, is like a soft plastic, so it's easy to bend, but also be structural. So,

Bryan the Botanist:

So it's like the facade they use on the walls or for like displays in the retail setting.

Amanda Rawlings:

Mm-hmm.

Bryan the Botanist:

So it's like a board, almost like a, but not like lumber, more like a, um, plastic based.

Amanda Rawlings:

Yep.

Bryan the Botanist:

So So you guys take that material and, and are you It's getting grinded of course, and separated similar to what we're doing at Sneaker Impact.

Amanda Rawlings:

Yep. Exactly.

Bryan the Botanist:

Very cool. I love the visual, the particle play too. The name and then the things you're making, you can see the particles of the, of the materials, which would be called like the, it's post-consumer. You're using pretty much post-consumer in your projects, some of your

Amanda Rawlings:

lot of post, yeah, mix of post-industrial and post-consumer

Bryan the Botanist:

That's amazing.'cause you know, there's that conversation too in the recycling world when you see recycling stuff in the retail space, whether it's being sold or whether it's just a material being used in construction is, was it recycled, you know, waste from the original manufacturing process. Would that be pre-consumer versus a post-consumer? Like a pair of jeans that have been worn for five to 10 years, or a pair of shoes that have been worn for a couple years, you know? Right. So that. Well with our great use of materials. Um, is there anything you guys wanna say on that, on pre versus post and what you guys use?

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, we're, we're super excited to, um, have met you guys that are obviously in that post-consumer. uh, world, because we've been working with a lot of post-industrial previously. So, um, it's a huge unlock for us. Um, you know, the biggest difference in the past using post-consumer is that you have less over the color, but with some of the innovation that you guys are pushing and that you guys hold, um, you know, that's no longer an The materials separated, the color is separated. and so we see it it as a huge opportunity to not really be constrained of when we post-consumer, because now it's like. It doesn't matter if it's post-consumer or post industrial, but obviously we wanna find local partners and, um, yeah, you guys really provide that opportunity. So we're excited to dig more into the post-consumer, although we've not done as much with it due to the color sort of.

Bryan the Botanist:

How did you achieve that amazing blue turquoise color of that table you made?

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, that would just be the denim, like that's, that's the color of the product, so.

Bryan the Botanist:

Because the table is, I don't know if it's a lacquer. I mean it is stunning and we're, we showed that earlier and yeah, you guys can do a lot, you have a lot of different swatches of like different color combinations and Yeah. At Sneaker Impact, we have some cool machines that do, um, optical sorting based on color with, uh, air separation and, uh, infrared, I believe. Is it like near infrared technology? Yeah. it's really cool. That's mos and you guys, I love that. Like everyone's got their own specialty and their own passion. So, um, that's a good segue. Um, what are your other passions outside of, um, the creative design world? we start with Amanda.

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah, actually I'm I'm inspired by you, Bryan, because I get back into triathlons. Um, but that's been, um, a hobby of mine the past year is just sometimes on how busy we are, it's to pursue all the time, no excuses. Um, but around the the footwear space as well. Um, just tying the the work we do in together, it's fun to be of that community. Um, and then just like boating, we both love being on the water with divers, we love traveling. Um, I love to cook and food, but art as well. And you know, Chrissy is a big art purchaser. Um, see the art behind her, but, um, yeah, I'll let you go ahead,

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, we have a lot of similar interests. Um, love, love, love scuba diving and being outside. As Amanda said, when Amanda and I are together, we're, can always find us on a boat. So if anybody ever wants to meet up, let's

Bryan the Botanist:

I love both. Hey, we've got the Florida Keys. Next time you come through, um, I'm, I'm going to Key West in a couple weekends, the dj, so

Krissy Harbert:

Oh, wow.

Bryan the Botanist:

could go, I'll go on. I gotta stand up. Paddle board, but, you know, I've always wanted to rent a boat down here. I've never done it yet, but I live in the land of boats too, so, uh. Next visit to Miami. Let's go out on the water. Yeah. I love sailboats too. I've never dived yet. I've snorkeled and standup paddleboard, but I've never, I haven't done, I wanna get certified. It's a goal of mine, That's so cool.

Krissy Harbert:

it.

Bryan the Botanist:

You guys have water girls outside.

Krissy Harbert:

but we're definitely what? No, no. We're definitely water babies, so we Yeah, we love that. And then, um, as Amanda mentioned, like. I love art, reading about it, visiting galleries, buying it, going to art fairs, so a lot of that sort of inspires the work that we do. And it's just of a a lifestyle.

Bryan the Botanist:

That's awesome. And you are in New York City, right, Chrissy, right

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah,

Bryan the Botanist:

Awesome. And we have Amanda out on the West Coast. So you guys got both coasts covered and you, and you can fly to work together whenever you need to, but you're doing a lot of stuff remotely, I'm sure, right?

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah, most of our team is remote. We have some people overseas and in Canada. Um, so that kind of helps us, like really free up a very talented team and, um, you know, have time, time zones that we're we're working on, can put us ahead of the curve at time. So it's helpful to remote but also in person in New York. a a lot of time together.

Bryan the Botanist:

Awesome. Speaking of New York versus LA versus Miami and travel, um, how do you each personally live sustainably?

Amanda Rawlings:

Um, I have been just trying to focus a lot more on local sourcing, vintage furniture, clothing shopping, trying not to buy too much new that I don't need reuse, um, reusing, making sure I'm not using much plastic. I've got my Stanley I use every day. Just simple things like that, but really into fashion. So, um, getting back into vintage shopping. There's a lot really good vintage shopping and both of of those areas, um, try not to buy, you know, excess really is something that I try to focus on.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, and I I would agree, you know, shopping platforms the RealReal where you you can get high end, but secondhand, um, love, my newest obsession is Facebook marketplace, which Amanda and another friend put me onto because there's best vintage furniture. Um, not only is it like sustainable, but you're also getting like super high quality. Um, I would say that's a huge one, is just like purchasing high quality things that are gonna last long time. Um, and then also. Yeah, so like I was pescatarian for about 13 years, recently started eating meat, but now I've tapered that back, so I'm really not eating that much meat. And so those small changes, um, really do impact, you know, the, the world and yeah.

Bryan the Botanist:

Yeah, we all make our personal choices and we don't have any judgments in Sneaker Impact. I certainly don't speak on behalf of the company, but I was doing some research'cause, um, to recycle a pair of shoes, well, first of all, to make a pair of shoes, I believe. Well, I saw it on the inside of, I won't mention the box, the name of the brand, but I saw it on the inside of the box. It said 14.5 kilograms were used of carbon to create the shoe. And then when we recycle the shoe, saves 13.6 kilograms of carbon due to recycling process and the reuse. Uh, that's definitely, if the shoe lives a second life, probably, if you're creating a new product out of the grinds, um, I believe up or creating the second life, you know, which is where 90% of our, our collections head is saving 13.6 kilograms. And I did some Google research the other day on what does that mean visually? So that's equivalent to a kilogram of cheese. Um, is how much carbon it Cheese is very carbon intensive. You know, I'm from Wisconsin, so this is fascinating to me. You know, and I don't eat a lot of cheese, but it was like, apparently cheese is very carbon intensive, so a kilogram of cheese is equal to a pair of shoes. Um, don't quote me on that, but that's my initial research. Also, a kilogram of coffee, apparently, I think I read. Coffee is also one kilogram of coffee is equivalent. So coffee is also, could be due to the transportation costs. It also said in the research, it depends on the methods, the transportation, several variables. You know, you can't just stay across the board, you never should. But it also said, like, I was looking at how much of transatlantic flight. Again, because like the study, again, going back to the marathon and training, and, and you'll appreciate this, Amanda,'cause of your training, you, you love triathlons is, um, you probably both will. Um, is that, um, the, the, the study showed that this person consumed, I believe they were based in Europe and they flew to New York City to do the marathon, uh, through their training, and the cost of the gear, the shoes, the travel, it was 3.4 tons of carbon. So what we do choose, and it actually part of the study was what are they eating race weekend at when they travel to New York City? Like, are they vegetarian or are they eating steak? Because steak is more carbon intensive, if you wanna have a stake, hey, that's the choice you're making. So just, you know, as long as you're aware, you know, um. We all make choices, whether it's where we buy our clothing, our furniture, are we buying to reuse it or are we buying it brand new? The best practice is definitely reusing and high quality vintage stuff. You know, that, you know, I, I grew up in the eighties and I remember the Amish in Wisconsin, you know, where I lived for 30 years and, you know, they're legendary for, you know, making stuff sustainably that furniture, you know, and supporting local. Um, so I was raised on an organic farm. These are the choices we make. And I'm not vegetarian, you know, so I'll be honest about that. But I don't buy a lot of shoes. I try to recycle and use shoes and sec I'm donating'em to Sneaker Impact. Of course, all my training shoes and the average runner uses six to eight pairs of shoes a year. So there's just, you know, a lot of. Consumer, you know, demand for products. And it's exciting to see companies like, um, brands like Particle Play now working with huge brands like Jordan and Nike too. Um, and other, other brands that you guys have personally told me about, um, projects that, so I'm really excited to see that. Um, we talked about the how you live sustainably. So, um, my next question if you wanna move forward would be, what does the future hold for particle play? Where, where do you guys see yourselves in the next five to 10 years?

Amanda Rawlings:

Uh, we wanna have a creative community, so we wanna foster community around design and sustainability. Um, we love to have a technology platform, as you you mentioned, that unites, um, designers with local options and price points, manufacturers, fabricators, who all can sort of channel similar mission. Um, and then with our team, we're growing our own team, so, um, we're about just under 10 now, but. We hope to grow, um, own internal studio and just kind of bring our team who's on a lot of the retail projects into a lot of the R&D, um, sustainable, uh, you research that we're doing just with different types of particulates and different types eco binding So we're in in the next month to also do do a research project with University, UNL, um, to help with the conversation around making, material board material out of, um, Cedar wood chips.

Bryan the Botanist:

I love that. I, I used to be a forester and I worked at trees, so I love to hear that you're working with wood. That's so cool.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah.

Bryan the Botanist:

has been plastics and denims and forms have been a big, we didn't really get into the materials, did we? I mean, you talked a little bit about the denim, but the foams, there's different foams in the shoes and, and other products. You're getting'em from, like the plastics from the retail. Um, but yeah, sorry. Continue on that, uh, topic. Yeah.

Krissy Harbert:

I was just say in the spirit of, of what we're doing is like taking what are gonna throw away. And so the red, the Cedar project is about when, um, a trunk of a is used. It's, you know, primarily if have a diagram of a tree, you sort of have the perfect, you rectilinear or, or square

Bryan the Botanist:

milled. Yeah. They, they put it through a mill. Yeah. Yeah.

Krissy Harbert:

So what we're looking at is like, what about all that waste? What about the twigs? So that, that's now our

Bryan the Botanist:

the

Krissy Harbert:

How do you take that, take all the scraps and continue to use that in a way that is still developing? Like it's, yeah, a new product

Amanda Rawlings:

Grinding down all the the different parts of that material then exploring like if we can use mycelium binding, if we can use eCore alternatives, different types of starches that are like adhesives. We're really passionate about mycelium and types of natural ingredients as well. Um, and so that's been really fun for us just

Bryan the Botanist:

reishi and yeah, I, I, I studied mushroom science as well in my botany days, and I, I'm the co-founder of Miami Mushroom Fest. So let's continue the conversation about mycelium.'cause I, I have some friends that. Our growers of Lions, Maine and stuff, and locally, and I would love to see Reishi and all these other things used in design work. That's really interesting to me because the wood even took me at a new angle. You know, like I forgot that, you know, a lot of furniture's made outta wood. Where's that wood coming from? You know, how can we reuse wood locally? You know? And that helps with the lumber, with the forestry process. It makes it more sustainable. Otherwise it could go into just some waste product that, you know, I don't know what they use it for otherwise. I know some rivers can get polluted if they don't have good, you know, processes.'cause a lot of the mills are set up on rivers, but that's so cool that you're using wood. Um, I have a question. Um, that is a surprise question. Um, what is the question that I am not asking you that I should be asking you? If I, if you were interviewing yourself through me, what question did I forget to ask you that you think people would love to know about you Both or particle play? Like how did you get here? What's been your biggest challenge?

Amanda Rawlings:

I think our biggest challenge today is actually just kind of pushing some of our, um, our products what the capabilities that way. We have a lot of big dreams, a lot of big ideas, it's been been hard for us to implement those or facilitate those based on some of restrictions we have domestically. And so, um, that's something that, you know, we're just really looking for, um, resources connections, friends, um, just kind of creating a community or that's more local and like centralizing a a lot the ideas and a lot of the implementation that we, um, can have around those ideas. And so I think, yeah, just talking about like dreams and exciting and passion around sustainability. It's really. About connecting with people and trying to um, a difference and a purpose the work that we're doing. You know, like we can sit there and push out work all day long, but if we're not passionate about it and we're not exciting people or feeling exciting about it, then you know, what's the reason why we're doing it? So just back to the core of the reason, the mission and how we're starting to create job opportunities around that or change some of of our industry um, is really something that we're excited and passionate about and it's, um, awesome that we're able to start learning about resources like yours and expanding upon, um, the different types of ways we can make that happen.

Bryan the Botanist:

Love it. Anything to add, Chrissy? On, um, challenges or things you wanna share that we haven't talked about yet?

Krissy Harbert:

No, I think, I think Amanda, um, covered it well. We are looking local partners, um, to expand our capabilities. Like a lot of this work can be done. In China, in Portugal. But again, it's trying to reduce that carbon footprint do things locally, keep it, um, circular. Um, I'll say like the last piece is we're doing a lot of research on resin binding agents, so that's something else to tackle. We're hoping a lot of, um, the most like eco ecocentric, eco binders are very proprietary. So how can we create something, make it open source, make this really about sustainability, about bettering the world rather than, you know, having something commercial that's sort of a proprietary product closed doors. Um, that's something that's important to us is being open source and, um, access so, you know, everybody can make the world better.

Bryan the Botanist:

I. love it. Yeah, that's similar message to Sneaker Impact is working on helping to improve the world every day as a team, you know, team human, team humanity, you know, that we, we all win. It's not our, our found, you know, Mo and I believe you guys have the same philosophies. Our only competition is the landfill.

Krissy Harbert:

Exactly. I

Bryan the Botanist:

it's really just, that's, it's, that's such a big thing to wrap your brain around is, you know, we're trying to influence societal change for the better because. Our planet can't support, you know, consumption on the way we've done it in the past. Um, we're a very blessed country, in terms of resources and lifestyle. So we, I think, you know, one of my favorite, um, sayings that I've had since I was a little kid, and I would love to hear yours, each is, um, um, I believe by Gandhi, um, lives simply so that others may simply live. Growing up in a fairly affluent suburb of Madison, Wisconsin, I learned that as a teenager and it really, and I've traveled to places like Guatemala a lot, many times. And I've even gone to Asia and South America and other places, and I see beautiful people all over the world. And then I come back to the US and I'm like realizing, you know, whether it's choices we have for grocery stores or our transportation, um, or our, you know, lifestyles. Uh, I just. Realize how fortunate we are here and try to be grateful when cha times get challenging. Um, and I try to remember to live simply because I could be, you know, I don't need two cars or I don't need, you know, 20 pairs of jeans or 50 pairs of shoes, or even five pair, you know, gotta be mindful of your consumption'cause there's 8 billion people on the earth, is what I, so how about you, uh, Amanda? Do you have a favorite staying or philosophy you live by?

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah. I think it's similar to yours. Uh, removing ego is something that uh, really talk about a a lot in our practice as well, just designers and a team, just making sure we're all unified, but removing ego, ego from the and and really thinking about the betterment of collective and people versus self, um, is definitely that I try to live by. And I know Chrissy too. So something that really, um, you know. It fosters a lot of the, the conversations that we have as a team around the work that we're doing.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, and I'll add, um, I don't have a specific phrase, but the general sentiment for me is just like similar to like when there's a will, there's a way, which is a specific phrase, but I actually do believe, um, kind of of everything is possible and you can figure out. It's just a matter of will and making it happen. So, and I, I'll kind twofold that, and then, um, every step matters. All of the steps add up. So it's just about progress moving forward and really moving forward in the right direction.

Bryan the Botanist:

Consistency and

Krissy Harbert:

Mm-hmm.

Amanda Rawlings:

Action.

Bryan the Botanist:

uh, yeah. Action. I have to love it. So I know we're getting closer to the end now of the podcast, so I wanna make sure we can share particle play and all the amazing things you guys are up to with people. And you sent me some links, which I'm gonna be sharing in this video, but would you like to tell them about how they can find you guys online?

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah, we'll be launching our website in the next month, which is exciting. Um, kind of of have a slash page up now, but definitely feel to follow us on Instagram particle.play. Uh, we've got got a LinkedIn page as well that will in, um, your notes. Um, and then we'll hopefully have, um, some more different, um, articles that you'll see us in. We've been interviewed by CNN Italy recently for our work with Milan. Hopefully we will have that app we we can publish, but you you know, we've been in Hype and um, a couple other different types of design publications in the past as well, so we'd love to, um, have you guys check that out.

Bryan the Botanist:

Amazing. Well, I'm gonna be sharing all those links and you guys are friends of Sneaker Impact, so we're definitely gonna have you back in the future. So we're just introducing you today. And I, I like to say that to everyone because it's true. Um, we wanna circle back and see where we're at in six months to a year. So, you know, um, and some of the collaborations I think that are gonna be happening between Sneaker Impact and particle play are really cool. So, I, I know you guys are gonna stay in touch with us about that. Um, I would like to now, uh, ask you both to give us an inspiring message to leave our audience with.

Krissy Harbert:

Oh man. I don't know if I have an inspiring message, I would just say, um, um, I'd, I'd challenge, um, the audience to think about waste in new ways. Like what can you make your surroundings and, um, know, whatever it is, six time you need a picture frame, how can you make something with what you have existing? Just, I think, um, making these things and. Adding them to your home, your lifestyle. They become art pieces in and of themselves, especially. They're all kind of one of one. So, um, yeah, I just challenge people rethink what is sustainability next time you need to purchase something? Um, how you make do without, in a creative new way?

Bryan the Botanist:

That's, that's important. How about you, Amanda

Amanda Rawlings:

Definitely echoing Chrissy's sentiment, um, but also in the spirit of just volunteer and helpfulness. Um, you know, something really near and dear to to our heart. types of nonprofit work and volunteering, so. So Even as a studio, we talked about, um, reinvesting in time and energy and, um, allowing, uh, you know, space for our team to involved with like Habitat for Humanity, helping building a house somebody, giving back. So, like you said, we are so fortunate, um, and we know that a lot of the work that we do is led, but we wanna on an individual basis and as a studio and the team and the community just start to foster more, um, opportunity for give back and time for give back.

Bryan the Botanist:

That's amazing. Yeah. So important as a brand to give back with the skills you have and the experience, the Habitat for Humanity. That's a really cool idea. I love that. Um, this is so cool. It's so great to have, um, two co-founders here sharing this lovely space, so equally and passionately and mindfully. So, um, it's been an amazing, this last hour, getting to know you and, um. We'll be in touch and, and learning more about what you guys are up to through, So, uh, thank you again for joining us.

Amanda Rawlings:

Yeah, no, thank you so much for the time and the the opportunity to be part of your channel. So we'll definitely be keeping touch and excited to be part of your, uh, your space with Sneaker Impact.

Krissy Harbert:

Yeah, definitely and good luck the Chicago Marathon. Send us photos of what, what you find this year. Hopefully you'll a a lot of sustainable sort of product again, and excited to see how that goes.

Bryan the Botanist:

yeah. It's so exciting We're just grateful to be working together with you guys and to have met you in the last couple months and now to have you on the podcast and we're new friends, so, um, stay in touch and, uh, have a great rest of your summer in New York and LA and we'll talk to you guys soon.

Amanda Rawlings:

Sounds great. Thank you, Bryan,

Bryan the Botanist:

Thanks for being on, ladies. It was a lovely day. Talk soon. Two. Bye

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