Systems and methods for composting articles of footwear

Abstract

A method and system for composting shoes allows for degradation of shoes while composting compostable material during operation of a single composting container. The system includes one or more containers that separate the shoe from the compostable material during operation of the composting container. The shoes are to undergo multiple operations of the composting container. During each operation of the composting container, a batch of new compostable material is composted with the shoes.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 539,755, filed on September 21, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0003] Reference to Federally Sponsored Research or Development

[0004] not applicable

[0005] Sequence Listing

[0006] not applicable Background Art

[0007] There is a growing interest in manufacturing and disposing of goods in a way that minimizes the impact on the environment. For example, in order to provide more environmentally sustainable products, the footwear industry is increasingly relying on the use of biodegradable materials in the shoe manufacturing process. Biodegradable materials are organic materials that break down into harmless substances through normal environmental processes. Therefore, using biodegradable materials when manufacturing shoes can help minimize the waste footprint generated when the shoes are disposed of at the end of their life cycle.

[0008] However, the rate at which discarded biodegradable materials degrade often depends on the environmental conditions to which such materials are subjected during and after disposal. For example, biodegradable materials sent to a landfill, and thus likely subjected to anaerobic conditions when disposed of, may show only minimal degradation, even years after being discarded. Thus, the use of biodegradable materials in the manufacture of shoes (or other products) may not always be sufficient, in and of itself, to minimize the environmental waste burden resulting from the disposal of such products.

[0009] Composting offers an alternative to using landfills to dispose of discarded biodegradable materials. Composting is the controlled decomposition of biodegradable materials by biologically active substances (such as microorganisms, soil animals, enzymes, and fungi) under aerobic conditions. The biologically active substances use the carbon and nitrogen in the biodegradable materials to grow and reproduce, water to digest the materials, and oxygen to respire. As a result, composting allows biodegradable materials to degrade in a shorter period of time compared to landfill disposal. In addition, composting not only helps reduce the waste footprint of discarded biodegradable materials, but the degradation of biodegradable materials through the composting process also helps restore nutrients to the soil.

[0010] Despite the many benefits of composting, only a portion of discarded biodegradable materials are currently composted. One reason for this is that different biodegradable materials have different degradation characteristics and therefore break down at different rates even when exposed to the same composting conditions. For example, the higher the carbon-nitrogen ratio of a biodegradable material (i.e., the wider it is), the longer it will take for degradation to occur. Similarly, coarse biodegradable materials will take longer to break down.

[0011] Existing composting systems and methods are unable to adjust composting conditions to simultaneously satisfy the degradation requirements of biodegradable materials defined by distinctly different degradation requirements. Instead, such existing systems and methods are operated such that all biodegradable materials in a batch are subjected to the same composting treatment regimen. Thus, existing systems and methods are unable to simultaneously effectively and efficiently degrade a batch of biodegradable materials defined by distinctly different degradation profiles (i.e., a batch that includes both readily / quickly degradable biodegradable materials and biodegradable materials that require more effort and time to degrade) using a single composting structure.

[0012] For example, existing methods and systems place mixed batches in a composting treatment scheme to achieve the desired degree of degradation and / or amount of degradation of faster / easier biodegradable materials, but such methods and systems can only achieve the minimum (if any) amount of degradation of slower degrading materials. Therefore, this option cannot effectively achieve the desired degree of degradation and / or amount of degradation of each biodegradable material in the batch. For this reason, existing systems and methods are generally only used to compost biodegradable materials that are easily and quickly degraded (e.g., food scraps, yard waste, etc.). At the same time, biodegradable materials that require more energy and time to degrade (e.g., leather, bioplastics, textiles, etc.) are treated in other ways (such as incineration, landfill, etc.). Therefore, improved systems and methods are needed to efficiently and effectively degrade complex items, such as footwear. Summary of the invention

[0013] In some embodiments, a method of degrading footwear includes providing at least a portion of a shoe. The shoe is shredded into an initial amount of shoe input. The shoe input is defined by the shredded particles of the shoe. A bioactive material is added to the shoe input. The shoe input is placed in a container. The container is loaded into a composting container. The composting container is operated for a period of time. After the period of time has expired, the shoe input is removed from the composting container. After the shoe input is removed, at least about 30% of the shoe input has a particle size equal to or less than about 12 mm.

[0014] In some embodiments, a method of degrading footwear includes loading a first compostable input into a cavity of a compost container. A first batch of footwear materials are also loaded into the cavity of the compost container. The footwear materials are from one or more shoes. The compost container is operated for a first period of time. After the first period of time, the first batch of compostable materials is removed from the compost container. After the first period of time, the compost container is operated for a second period of time. During the second period of time, the first batch of footwear materials are in the cavity of the compost container.

[0015] Other aspects of the methods and systems described herein, including features and advantages thereof, will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art by studying the drawings and detailed description herein. Therefore, all such aspects of the article of footwear are intended to be included in the detailed description and the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe according to some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a method and system for degrading shoes while composting compostable materials;

[0018] Figure 3 is an operation schedule for the method and system for degrading shoe materials while composting compostable materials;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a representative composting container of a system;

[0020] Figure 5 is used to control compost containers (e.g. Figure 4 A flowchart of an operation scheme of a composting container;

[0021] Fig. 6A yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A perspective view of a representative container of the system;

[0022] Figure 6B yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 A perspective view of another representative container of the system;

[0023] Fig. 7A is another operating schedule for the method and system for degrading shoe materials while compostable materials are composted;

[0024] Figure 7B is another operational timeline for a method and system for degrading shoe materials while composting compostable materials;

[0025] Figure 8is a flow chart of a degradation scheme according to which the shoe material is degraded; and

[0026] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of the initial processing phase of the degradation program. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Overall reference Figure 1-Figure 9 , methods and systems for degrading footwear materials while composting compostable materials are shown and described according to various embodiments. As discussed herein, the methods and systems disclosed herein are configured to achieve the desired degradation of compostable materials and footwear materials without requiring significant, additional effort and / or time beyond that required to compost a similar amount of a single compostable material using existing composting methods and systems. In other words, the methods and systems allow for the effective degradation of multiple batches of compostable materials in addition to the effective degradation of shoes within a similar time frame as required to compost a similar amount of a single compostable material (i.e., without shoes) using existing composting systems and methods. In addition, the methods and systems described herein are configured to achieve the desired degradation of compostable materials and shoes using only a single composting structure.

[0028] As used herein, the term "about" refers to variations in values ​​that may occur, for example, through typical measurements and manufacturing procedures used for articles of footwear or other articles of manufacture that may include embodiments disclosed herein; due to inadvertent errors in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, origin, or purity of ingredients used to make compositions or mixtures or to perform methods; and the like. Throughout the disclosure, the terms "about" and "approximately" refer to a range of ±5% of the numerical value preceding the term.

[0029] The term "compostable material" as used herein refers to any number of biodegradable materials and combinations thereof, which will substantially exhibit a predetermined minimum degradation degree and / or degradation amount under composting conditions, becoming particles of a predetermined size (or smaller). For example, in various embodiments, compostable material refers to any biodegradable material configured to decompose into particles of 12 mm or smaller in size within 10 days. In various embodiments, compostable material may include any biodegradable material defined as compost waste by government, regulations or other industry standards. Non-limiting examples of biodegradable material types of compostable material described herein include food scraps (such as fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, etc.), yard waste (such as grass and plant clippings, dry leaves, sawdust, etc.), newspapers, cardboard, etc.

[0030] As described herein, a "desirable degree" of degradation of a material (i.e., a compostable material or a shoe material) is achieved when at least a predetermined percentage of the initial weight and / or volume of a batch of material has been degraded into particles of a size equal to (or less than) a predetermined final desired size. In other words, a batch of material will have achieved a desired degree of degradation when the weight and / or volume of particles of a size equal to or less than the final desired size is equal to (or greater than) the initial weight and / or volume of the material (i.e., a compostable material or a shoe material) multiplied by a predetermined percentage.

[0031] The "desired degree of degradation of the footwear material" obtained by the method disclosed herein may refer to the same degree (i.e., the same percentage) as the "desired degree of degradation of the compostable material" obtained by the method, or may refer to a smaller degree or a larger degree. In various embodiments, the "desired degree of degradation of the compostable material" is achieved when at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at least 40% of the compostable material is defined by a particle size equal to or smaller than the final desired size. In various embodiments, the "desired degree of degradation of the footwear material" is achieved when at least 20%, or at least 30%, or at least 40% of the footwear material is defined by a particle size equal to or smaller than the final desired size.

[0032] As described herein, when the weight and / or volume of material particles having a size equal to or less than the final desired size is equal to (or greater than) the predetermined weight and / or volume of degraded shoe material or compostable material to be achieved during the method, the "desired amount" of degradation of the material (i.e., compostable material or shoe material) is achieved. The "desired amount of degradation of the shoe material" may refer to the same volume and / or weight as used to describe the "desired amount of degradation of the compostable material", or may refer to a lower or higher volume and / or weight.

[0033] The term "final expected size" refers to a predetermined size for assessing whether a shoe material and / or compostable material reaches a desired degradation degree and / or degradation amount. In some embodiments, "final expected size" may refer to the same size used to separate the degraded portion of a shoe material and / or compostable material from the undegraded portion of a shoe material and / or compostable material. In other embodiments, "final expected size" refers to a size greater than a selected mesh size. The predetermined "final expected size" for assessing shoe material degradation may be identical or different (e.g., less than or greater than) from the predetermined "final expected size" for assessing compostable material degradation. In some embodiments, the predetermined "final expected size" for shoe material and / or compostable material refers to a size of 15 millimeters (mm) or less, or 12 mm or less, or 9 mm or less, or 7 mm or less, or 5 mm or less, or 3 mm or less, or 1 mm or less.

[0034] As used herein, terms such as "degradation" and "decomposition" refer to any process by which a material (e.g., a biodegradable material or any other material) deteriorates when exposed to one or more stimuli. Non-limiting examples of stimuli that can degrade a material (e.g., change the structure and / or performance characteristics of the material) include, but are not limited to, humidity, heat, chemical agents, biologically active substances, mechanical forces, electromagnetic forces, and the like. Degradation of a material can be identified based on changes in any number and combination of material properties, such as, but not limited to, weight, volume, breakdown of the material into fragments, reduction in molecular weight, reduction in mechanical strength, reduction in surface properties, flexibility, toughness, emission (or passive emission) of molecules (e.g., CO2, CH4, and H2O), and the like.

[0035] As used herein, terms such as "composting" and "decomposition" refer to the degradation of biodegradable materials by the activity of biologically active substances. These terms can encompass all stages of decomposition of biodegradable materials, for example, including biodegradation (i.e., surface degradation that changes the mechanical, physical or chemical properties or characteristics of the biodegradable material), biofragmentation (i.e., the process by which the internal chemical bonds of the biodegradable material are broken) and / or assimilation (i.e., the process by which the products of biofragmentation are incorporated into or consumed by the biologically active substance).

[0036] As used herein, "composting conditions" refers to, for example, the heat, humidity, oxygen, airflow, starting particle size, or other stimuli required for composting. In addition to providing the necessary conditions to allow degradation of the biodegradable material due to the activity of the biologically active substance, when the biodegradable material is subjected to composting conditions, the stimuli to which it is subjected may also cause other forms of degradation of the biodegradable material (i.e., beyond the degradation provided by the biologically active substance). Therefore, placing the biodegradable material under composting conditions may result in degradation caused by composting activities as well as degradation of the biodegradable material caused by other forms of degradation.

[0037] Since "composting" refers to a specific type of degradation (i.e., deterioration through the activity of biologically active substances), the terms "degradation" and "decomposition" referred to herein may refer to one or both of material degradation due to composting (i.e., material degradation due to the activity of biologically active substances) and / or material degradation due to one or more other stimuli (e.g., material degradation due to exposure of the material to other stimuli under composting conditions). As used herein, "footwear materials" refer to materials derived from one or more shoes. Footwear materials may include any one or more of complete shoes, individual components of shoes (sole, upper, laces, etc.), and / or separate materials used to make shoes (e.g., waste materials remaining at the end of the shoemaking process).

[0038] The shoe material may be collected from any source. For example, in some embodiments, the shoe material is obtained during municipal recycling and / or composting waste sorting processes. In other embodiments, the shoe material includes shoes collected as part of a consumer-based business model. For example, in some embodiments, the shoes are collected as part of a subscription service and / or a rewards-based program in which consumers return old shoes in exchange for a new pair of shoes, discounts, and / or other rewards. In some embodiments where the shoe material includes only single-material shoe components and / or embodiments where the shoe material includes waste materials, the shoe material may be defined by a single type of material. In other embodiments, for example, where the shoe material includes the entirety of a shoe and / or multi-material components, the shoe material may include different materials.

[0039] In various embodiments, the shoe material (all or part) includes one or more biodegradable materials. Non-limiting examples of biodegradable materials that can define shoe materials include leather, suede, natural fibers (e.g., hemp, cotton, etc.), degradable plastics (e.g., TPE, etc.), resins, etc. In other embodiments, the shoe material can additionally or alternatively include other degradable materials that can achieve the desired degree of degradation and / or amount of degradation when using the methods and systems described herein. In various embodiments, biodegradable materials (and / or other materials that can be degraded by the system and method) account for at least 30% of the total weight and / or total volume of the materials constituting the collected shoes, shoe parts, and / or the combination of the single materials defining the shoe material, or at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%. In some embodiments, the shoe material is partially or completely from a shoe (or its parts) that is specifically configured to facilitate degradation. For example, in some embodiments, substantially all (e.g., at least 70% or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95% of total weight and / or surface area) of each collected shoe is made of biodegradable materials and / or other materials capable of being degraded using the methods and systems described herein.

[0040] As a non-limiting example, the selection of biodegradable materials that can be used to make a shoe that is essentially composed of biodegradable materials includes: a shoe having a sole structure that includes an outsole and a midsole, one or both of which are made of biodegradable TPE, accounting for approximately 45%-55% of the weight of the shoe; an upper made of leather (e.g., ZEOLOGY suede), accounting for approximately 17%-27% of the weight of the shoe; a lining and insole made of hemp and / or cotton, which together account for approximately 10%-20% of the weight of the shoe; a lining and laces made of hemp, which together account for approximately 1.0%-10% of the weight of the shoe; a heel and toe made of a cotton and polyester mixed resin, which together account for approximately 0.50%-3.0% of the weight of the shoe; stitching and embroidery made of cotton, which together account for approximately 0.10%-1.0% of the weight of the shoe.

[0041] As another example, the shoe can be configured to promote degradation by utilizing connections between components that facilitate separation of the components of the shoe during handling, for example, by using a degradable adhesive, using a stitching pattern that promotes tearing, etc. Therefore, shoes according to these embodiments can make it easier to sort the components of the shoe during handling. In other embodiments, the biodegradable materials used to make the shoe may have been treated, which allows the treated biodegradable materials to degrade in an accelerated manner, i.e., compared to similar, untreated biodegradable materials. For example, some of the biodegradable materials collected from the shoe are coated, laminated, injected, or otherwise contain one or more compounds (e.g., enzymes, microorganisms, etc.) that are configured to increase the degradation rate of the biodegradable materials. Non-limiting examples of compounds that can be used to treat biodegradable materials and / or examples of biodegradable materials treated with such compounds are provided in co-pending U.S. patent application 17 / 119,303, filed on December 11, 2020, with publication number US2021 / 0093044, entitled “Article of Footwear Having Degradable Components,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0042] The shoes from which the shoe material is derived may include any number of different types of shoes, such as athletic shoes, casual shoes, sandals, slippers, boots, high heels, dress shoes, etc. In some embodiments, the shoe material may additionally or alternatively refer to any other article or material derived therefrom that can be degraded using the methods and systems described herein. Non-limiting examples of such other articles include sports equipment (e.g., protective pads, shin guards, etc.), clothing (e.g., shirts, shorts, pants, hats, socks, calf sleeves, headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, gloves, etc.) or other consumer or industrial products.

[0043] Figure 1 A non-limiting example of a shoe from which shoe material may be obtained is shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the shoe 100 generally includes a sole structure or sole 102 and an upper 104. In some embodiments, the sole 102 may include an outsole that provides structural integrity and provides traction friction for the user, a midsole that provides a cushioning system, and a cushioned insole that provides support for the user's arch. The sole 102 and the upper 104 are connected to each other (e.g., by adhesive, stitching, etc.) to define an inner cavity 106, into which the user's foot can be inserted. Lining and / or padding are optionally provided along the inner surface of the upper 104. The upper 104 also optionally includes a plurality of holes formed therethrough, which are configured to receive a fastening system, such as a shoelace 108.

[0044] According to various embodiments, the shoe 100 optionally includes a unique machine-readable identifier 110 (e.g., an RFID tag, an infrared and / or near infrared tag, a QR code, a barcode, etc.) that associates the shoe with information related thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the information associated with the machine-readable identifier 110 may include identification of materials used in manufacturing the shoe 100 and / or instructions regarding composting conditions that are most suitable for achieving degradation of the shoe 100. In embodiments where the shoe 100 is provided as part of a consumer-based business model, the information may also optionally include identification of a user profile associated with the shoe 100.

[0045] Steering Figure 2-Figure 9 , additional details regarding the method 200 and the system 300 are provided with reference to various exemplary embodiments that illustrate how to effectively and efficiently degrade the shoe 100. In general, the method 200 and the system 300 for degrading the shoe material 114 are described in conjunction with the degradation of the compostable material 112, and the method 200 and the system 300 overcome the shortcomings of existing composting methods and systems, providing a solution by which biodegradable materials defined by significantly different degradation requirements (e.g., compostable material 112 and shoe material 114) can be simultaneously degraded in an effective and efficient manner using a single composting structure.

[0046] Specific reference Figure 2 The method 200 begins at step 202 by collecting compostable materials 112a and shoe materials 114. At step 204, the first batch of compostable materials 112a and the first batch of shoe materials 114 are initially processed, during which the first batch of compostable materials 112a and the first batch of shoe materials 114 are each subjected to one or more processing steps configured to facilitate degradation. After the initial processing at step 204, the first batch of compostable materials 112a is converted into a first batch of compostable inputs 116a, and the first batch of shoe materials 114 is converted into a first batch of shoe inputs 118.

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, at step 206, a first batch of shoe input 118 is placed into one or more containers 302 of the system 300. The filled containers 302 and the first batch of compostable input 116a are then loaded into the compost container 304, and more specifically, into the cavity 306 of the compost container 304. As discussed in detail below, the system's containers 302 advantageously keep the compostable input 116 and the shoe input 118 separate from each other, while also allowing the shoe input 118 and the compostable input 116 to be simultaneously subjected to the composting conditions created within the cavity 306 of the compost container 304 during the composting process. With the first batch of compostable input 116a and the shoe input 118 loaded into the cavity 306, an initial run of the compost container begins at step 208.

[0048] During each run, the compost container 304 is operated according to the operating scheme to achieve the desired composting conditions within the cavity 306 during the first run 308a of the compost container 304 (and during each subsequent run 308b, 308c, ... 308n). In addition to controlling composting condition parameters, such as temperature, humidity, airflow, light constants, etc., the operating scheme also controls the duration of each run 308 of the compost container 304. As discussed in more detail below, the operating scheme according to which the compost container 304 is operated is configured to achieve the desired degree of degradation and / or amount of degradation of the batch of compostable input 116a, 116b, 116c, ... 116n loaded into the cavity when the compost container 304 begins to operate. Therefore, after the operation of the compost container 304 that begins at step 208 is completed, the first batch of compostable input 116a can be removed from the compost container 304 at step 210.

[0049] Still reference Figure 2 During step 210, the unloaded first compostable input 116a is then screened and the degraded portion of the first compostable input 116a is collected as compost 120. As discussed in more detail below, in some embodiments, at step 210, the shoe input 118 is also optionally removed from the cavity 306 and subjected to screening and / or one or more other additional processing steps. Screening of the first compostable input 116a concludes the composting scheme for the first compostable material 112a.

[0050] Given the higher degradation requirements of the shoe material 114 (i.e., compared to the degradation requirements of the compostable material 112), the duration of a single run of the composting container 304 may not provide the shoe material 114 with the composting conditions typically required to achieve the desired degree and / or amount of degradation, depending on the run schedule customized for the compostable material 112. Therefore, in contrast to the first batch of compostable input 116a, at the end of the initial run 308a of the composting container 304, the shoe input 118 will not have achieved the desired degree and / or amount of degradation.

[0051] Thus, during step 212, the shoe input 118 is reintroduced into the compost container 304 (or, if the shoe input 118 was not removed from the compost container 304 during step 210, the shoe input 118 is left in the compost container 304). Figure 2 As shown, during step 212, the second batch of compostable materials 112b is converted into a second batch of compostable input 116b, which is then also loaded into the cavity 306 of the compost container 304. At step 214, the compost container begins a new run, thereby subjecting the shoe input 118 and the second batch of compostable materials 112b to the composting conditions created by the operation of the compost container 304.

[0052] As with the first batch of compostable materials 112a, the end of the run of the compost container 304 beginning at step 214 marks the end of the exposure of the second batch of compostable materials 112b to composting conditions during the method 200. Therefore, after the end of the run of the compost container 304 beginning at step 214, step 210 is repeated, this time unloading the second batch of compostable materials 112b from the compost container 304 and sieving the second batch of compostable materials 112b to collect the compost 120. Similar to the discussion above, during the second execution of step 210, the shoe input 118 may also optionally be removed from the cavity 306 and subjected to sieving and / or one or more other additional processing steps.

[0053] After the second execution of step 210 is completed, the sequence of steps 212, 214, and 210 may be repeated any number of times (with the shoe input 118 additionally composted along with a new batch of compostable material 112n during each repeated cycle of steps 212, 214, and 210) until the shoe material 118 reaches the desired degree of degradation and / or amount of degradation. Once the shoe material 118 has reached the desired degree of degradation and / or amount of degradation, in step 216, the shoe input 118 and the last batch of compostable input 116n are unloaded from the composting container 304. The unloaded last batch of compostable input 116n is screened, and the degraded portion of the compostable material 112n is collected as compost 120. During step 216, the shoe input 118 is also similarly screened, and the degraded portion of the shoe material 114 is collected as compost 122. The completion of step 216 marks the end of the method 200.

[0054] Steering Figure 3 , according to one non-limiting embodiment, depicts a timeline representing method 200. Figure 3 As shown, during the method 200, each batch of compostable materials 112a, 112b, 112c, ... 112n may be subjected to a composting protocol 220a, 220b, 220c, ... 220n, during which the compostable materials 112 are exposed to the necessary processing steps and composting conditions required to achieve a desired degree and / or amount of degradation of the compostable materials 112. Similarly, the footwear material 114 is subjected to a degradation protocol 230, which exposes the footwear material to the necessary processing steps and composting conditions required to achieve a desired degree and / or amount of degradation of the footwear material 114.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, after step 202 is completed, both the composting scheme 220 and the degradation scheme 230 begin the initial processing steps from step 204. During the initial processing step 204, the processing steps that the compostable material 112a undergoes are defined by the preparation stage 222a of the composting scheme 220a that the first batch of compostable materials 112a undergoes. During the initial processing step 204, the processing steps that the shoe material 114 undergoes are defined by the initial processing stage 232 of the degradation scheme 230. During the preparation stage 222 and the initial processing stage 232, the selection, sequence and / or duration of the processing steps that the compostable material 112 and the shoe material 114 are subjected to, respectively, can be similar or different from each other. Although the preparation stage 222 and the initial processing stage 232 of step 204 and the loading step 206 are similar to each other, the processing steps that the compostable material 112 and the shoe material 114 are subjected to are defined by the preparation stage 222a of the composting scheme 220a that the first batch of compostable materials 112a undergoes. Figure 3304, it should be understood that the preparation phase 222 and / or the timing of loading the first batch of compostable input 116a into the compost container 304 can be independent of the timing of the initial processing step 232 and / or the loading of the shoe input 118 into the compost container 304 (i.e., can be performed before, simultaneously with, or after the initial processing step 232 and / or the loading of the shoe input 118 into the compost container 304).

[0056] Combination Figure 2 Schematic diagram reference Figure 3 In the timetable, the start of the first run 308a of the composting container 304 at step 208 marks the start of the respective composting phases (i.e., the composting phase 224 and the degradation phase 234) of the composting scheme 220 and the degradation scheme 230. The duration of the composting phase 224 of the composting scheme 220 corresponds to the length of time required to be exposed to the composting conditions to achieve the desired degree and / or amount of degradation of the compostable material 112. The duration of the degradation phase 234 of the degradation scheme 230 also corresponds to the length of time required to be exposed to the composting conditions to achieve the desired degree and / or amount of degradation of the shoe material 114. Figure 3 As shown, considering the higher degradation requirements of the shoe material 114 (ie, compared to the degradation requirements of the compostable material 112 ), the duration of the degradation phase 234 of the degradation scheme 230 is longer than the duration of the composting phase 224 of the composting scheme 220 .

[0057] As described above, placing relatively fast-degrading biodegradable materials (e.g., compostable materials 112) under composting conditions tailored for slower-degrading biodegradable materials (e.g., shoe materials 114) unnecessarily subjects such relatively fast-degrading biodegradable materials to processing steps and / or exposure to composting conditions beyond those required to achieve the desired degree and / or amount of degradation of the faster-degrading biodegradable materials. In addition, extending the operating time of the composting structure to accommodate the longer exposure time to composting conditions required for slower-degrading biodegradable materials reduces the throughput of the composting structure that can compost faster-degrading biodegradable materials.

[0058] Therefore, in order to minimize (or avoid) such operating inefficiencies, in various embodiments, the operating schedule according to which the composting container 304 operates is customized based on the degradation requirements of the compostable material 112. For example, in various embodiments, the duration of each operation 308 of the composting container 304 is set to correspond to (i.e., be the same as) the duration of the composting stage 224 of the composting schedule 220 that each batch of compostable material 112 undergoes. Figure 3As shown, the end time of the initial operation 308a of the composting container 304 started at step 208 coincides with the end time of the composting stage 224a of the first batch of compostable materials 112a. In addition to additionally exposing the shoe material 118 to composting conditions, in various embodiments, by during the degradation stage 234 (e.g., as described above with reference to Figure 2 During step 210 , the shoe input 118 is subjected to additional processing steps that optionally promote (eg, accelerate) degradation of the shoe input 118 .

[0059] Therefore, if Figure 3 As shown (and discussed in more detail below), in some embodiments, the degradation stage 234 includes one or more secondary processing stages 236a, 236b, 236c, ... 236n during which the shoe input 118 is subjected to additional processing steps. During the process of the method 200, the separation of the shoe input 118 and the compostable input 116 provided by the container 302 of the system 300 plays an important role in allowing the composting scheme 220 and the degradation scheme 230 to subject the compostable material 112 and the shoe material 114 to conditions suitable for the degradation requirements of each material. For example, at the end of the first run 308a of the composting container 304, the container 302 of the system 300 allows the shoe input 118 to be easily, quickly and efficiently separated from the first batch of compostable input 116a and added together with the second batch of compostable input 116b to be further exposed to the composting conditions created during the second run 308b of the composting container 304. Thus, the container 302 allows the degradation scheme 230 to utilize multiple runs 308 of the composting container 304 to provide the shoe input 118 with the desired extended exposure to composting conditions in a manner that does not unnecessarily subject the compostable material 112 to such extended exposure and has little, if any, impact on the throughput (i.e., speed) of composting a similar volume of compostable material 112 without the shoe material 114.

[0060] Likewise, the ability to easily separate the shoe input 118 from the compostable input 116 provided by the container 302 during one or more secondary processing stages 233 of the degradation scheme 230 advantageously allows the additional processing steps of the secondary processing stage 233 to be selectively applied only to the shoe input 118. For example, in various embodiments, the shoe input 118 can be removed from the compost container 304 during operation 308, subjected to one or more processing steps of the secondary processing stage 233, and then reloaded into the compost container 304 in a manner that causes minimal, if any, disruption to the composting stage 224 in which the compostable input 116 is located. Thus, the container 302 additionally allows the shoe input 118 to be exposed to additional processing steps tailored to the degradation needs of the shoe material 114 without unnecessarily subjecting the compostable material 112 to such additional processing steps.

[0061] As reference Figure 2 As shown in the schematic diagram of , selective degradation control can be achieved by isolating the compostable material 112 and the shoe material 114 from each other using one or more containers 302 of the system 300. In addition, by subjecting the compostable material 112 and the shoe material 114 to treatment protocols (i.e., composting protocol 220 and degradation protocol 230, respectively) using multiple runs 308 of the composting container 304 of the system 300, the degradation process can be customized to the specific degradation requirements of each type of material.

[0062] refer to Figure 4-Figure 9 , describes additional details regarding the composting container 304 (and the operating scheme according to which it operates) and the container 302 of the system 300, as well as additional details regarding the degradation scheme 230 that the shoe input 118 undergoes during the method 200. In general, the composting container 304 of the system 300 can be defined by any number of composting structures that can be operated for a predetermined length of time to achieve desired composting conditions (e.g., temperature levels, humidity levels, light levels, oxygen levels, airflow rates, etc.). For example, in various embodiments, the composting container 304 is optionally defined by a composting structure used by existing methods and systems for composting waste.

[0063] Steering Figure 4 , a compost container 304 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4As shown, according to various embodiments, the composting structure defined by the compost container 304 includes a composting tunnel 400. The composting tunnel 400 includes a housing 402 defining a main cavity 404, which is configured to receive compost input (e.g., compostable input 116 and / or shoe input 118). A perforated (e.g., slatted) support structure 406 extends within the housing 402. An upper surface 408 of the support structure 406 defines a surface on which the compost input can be loaded.

[0064] The lower surface 410 of the support structure 406 defines an air passage 412 that passes through the housing 402. The air passage 412 extends along the length of the lower surface 410 of the support structure 406. A hole (not shown) in the support structure 406 provides fluid communication between the air passage 412 and the main cavity 404. In various embodiments, the area of ​​the upper surface 408 of the support structure 406 is approximately 150 m 2 However, in other embodiments, the composting tunnel 400 may be configured to have any other desired dimensions of the support structure 406 surface area and / or the main chamber 404 volume.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, the air passage 412 is connected to a forced air flow source 414 (e.g., a pump, fan, etc.). As shown by arrows 416, operation of the forced air flow source 414 causes air to move through the air passage 412. The holes in the support structure 406 allow the air flowing through the air passage 412 to flow into the main cavity 404 of the housing 402. During operation of the composting tunnel 400, air can thus flow through the compost input supported along the support structure 406, thereby aerating the compost input. In various embodiments, a water collection container (not shown) is optionally positioned relative to the holes in the support structure 406 to collect water flowing out of the compost input during operation of the composting tunnel 400.

[0066] Still reference Figure 4 , the main chamber 404 of the housing 402 is in fluid communication with an airflow outlet 418 that allows air to be exhausted from the main chamber 404. In various embodiments, a filter (not shown) is optionally attached to the airflow outlet 418 to remove unwanted particles (e.g., ammonia) from the air exiting the main chamber 404 before the air is released into the surrounding environment.

[0067] The operating protocol according to which the composting container 304 operates defines the composting conditions created within the cavity 306 of the composting container during each operation 308 thereof. In addition to controlling the operation of the container 304 to achieve desired levels of various parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity, airflow, oxygen, etc.) in a predetermined sequence, the operating protocol also defines the total duration of each operation 308 of the composting container 304. In embodiments where the operating protocol is tailored to the degradation requirements of the compostable material 112, the operating protocol may be based on (e.g., be the same as) an existing composting process protocol for controlling the operation of an existing composting structure used in the composting of compostable waste materials.

[0068] Steering Figure 5 According to an exemplary embodiment, an operating scheme 500 is described according to which the composting container 304 is operated. Figure 5 As shown, the operating scheme 500 begins at step 502 with a humidification phase. During the humidification phase of step 502, the operating scheme 500 controls the operation of the compost container 304 (e.g., controls the operation of a sprayer, a sprinkler, or other fluid distribution device of the compost container 304) to achieve a desired humidity level within the cavity 306 of the compost container 304 and / or achieve a desired moisture content of the compost input (i.e., the compostable input 116 and the shoe input 118) contained within the cavity 306. In various embodiments, the moisture content of the compost input and / or the humidity level within the cavity 306 of the compost container 304 is maintained at a level between approximately 20% and 80%, or between approximately 30% and 70%, or between approximately 40% and 60%. In various embodiments, the operating scheme 500 optionally repeats the humidification phase of step 502 one or more times during operation 308 of the compost container 304 to help ensure that an adequate humidity level is maintained within the cavity 306 and / or that the compost input is maintained at an appropriate humidity level.

[0069] Still reference Figure 5 , the water used in the humidification phase of step 502 optionally contains nutrients and / or biologically active substances that aid in the degradation (e.g., decomposition) of the compost input. For example, in some embodiments, the water used at step 502 includes runoff water collected during a previous operation of the compost container 304 and / or during a previous operation of a different composting structure. During step 504, the operating scheme 500 controls the operation of the compost container 304 to ensure that the compost input is adequately exposed to the aerobic conditions required for composting. For example, in some embodiments, the operating scheme 500 controls the forced airflow device (e.g., Figure 4The operation scheme 500 may also control the operation of the composting container 304 (the forced airflow source 414 of the composting tunnel 400 of the embodiment of the composting container 304) to achieve a desired minimum airflow (e.g., an airflow of at least 0.1 cubic meter per hour) through the cavity 306 of the composting container 304. In other embodiments, the operation scheme 500 may alternatively or additionally control the operation of the composting container 304 to directly and / or indirectly agitate the compost input and thereby aerate the compost input.

[0070] For example, in Figure 4 In the embodiment of the compost container 304, the compost tunnel 400 is optionally operated at step 504 to move (e.g., shake, vibrate, rotate, etc.) the support structure 406 to indirectly agitate the compost input particles supported thereon. Alternatively or additionally, in other embodiments, the operation scheme 500 controls the operation of the compost container 304 to directly agitate the compost input by causing movement (and corresponding aeration) of the compost input by agitation (e.g., mixing, stirring, rotating, or otherwise). In various embodiments, the operation scheme 500 optionally repeats the aeration phase of step 504 one or more times during operation 308 of the compost container 304 to help ensure that the compost input is maintained under aerobic conditions required for composting.

[0071] Still reference Figure 5 At step 506, the operating scheme controls the operation of the compost container 304 so that the compost input undergoes a sanitation stage (e.g., pasteurization) during which the temperature within the cavity 306 of the compost container is raised to a predetermined sanitation temperature (e.g., a temperature of at least 50° C., preferably a temperature of at least 60° C.). The sanitation temperature is maintained for a predetermined period of time (e.g., a period of about 24 hours) to promote natural blanching / pasteurization of the compost input, thereby helping to minimize (e.g., prevent) unwanted or undesirable seed and / or microbial growth.

[0072] At step 508, the operating scheme operates the compost container to reduce the temperature within the compost container 304 from the sanitary temperature achieved at step 506 to a lower predetermined composting temperature (e.g., a temperature between 40° C. and 60° C.). The operating scheme then controls the operation of the compost container 304 to maintain the composting temperature for a predetermined period of time. As described above, different biodegradable materials are defined by different degradation rates. Therefore, in various embodiments, the duration of the predetermined period of time will be based on the particular batch of compostable materials that are subjected to the composting conditions of the compost container 304 during operation 308. The duration of the predetermined time period of step 508 may be any other desired length of time. The operation scheme ends at step 510 with an optional cooling phase, during which the temperature within the compost container 304 cools from the compost temperature of step 508 to provide the compost input time to cool before the compost is removed from the compost container 304 at the end of the compost operation 308.

[0073] refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , the container 302 of the system 300 is shown and described with reference to two representative embodiments. In other embodiments, the container 302 of the system 300 can be defined by any number of other structures that allow the shoe input 118 and the compostable input 116 to remain separated from each other while allowing the shoe input 118 and the compostable input 116 to be simultaneously subjected to the composting conditions created within the composting container 304 during operation of the composting container 304. The container 302 can be made of any number or combination of materials that are capable of withstanding repeated exposure to the composting conditions created within the composting container 304. Fig. 6A As shown, in various embodiments, the container 302 is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, which provides the container 302 with a generally defined and relatively rigid structure (e.g., a box-like structure 602). Figure 6B As shown, the container is made of a flexible material and is defined by a bag-like structure 604.

[0074] Still reference Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , the container 302 defines a cavity 606 that can be sized to accommodate any desired number of shoe inputs 118. For example, in some embodiments, the container 302 is sized to accommodate shoe inputs 118 from a pair of shoes. In other embodiments, the container 302 is sized to accommodate shoe inputs 118 from multiple shoes. For example, in some embodiments, the volume of the cavity 606 of the container 302 is at least 0.05 m 3, the shoe input 118 can be placed in the cavity 606. Optionally, the entrance to the cavity 606 of the container 302 is selectively sealed to prevent the shoe input 118 from being lost during the method 200. Non-limiting examples of closure elements that can be used to selectively seal the cavity 606 include: a lid 608 (see Fig. 6A ), zipper, lace 610 (see Figure 6B )wait.

[0075] Still reference Fig. 6A and Figure 6B , the container 302 can be defined by any shape and / or size that can fit within the cavity 306 of the compost container 304. In some embodiments, the container 302 can include multiple containers 302 of different volumes that can accommodate batches of shoe input 118 of different volumes. For example, in some embodiments, as a batch of shoe input 118 degrades during the method 200, the shoe input 118 is moved into progressively smaller containers 302, thereby freeing up space within the cavity 306 of the compost container 304, which can be used to process additional batches of shoe materials 114 and / or compostable materials 112.

[0076] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, to ensure that the shoe input 118 contained within the cavity 606 of the container 302 is able to withstand the composting conditions created within the compost container 304, a significant portion (e.g., at least 50%, or, for example, at least 70%) of the overall surface area of ​​the container 302 is provided with apertures 612 that provide fluid communication between the cavity 606 of the container 302 and the surrounding environment. The apertures 612 can be defined by holes formed through the material used to construct the container 302, and / or can be defined by the porous construction of the material itself (e.g., by using a mesh and / or woven material in the construction of the container 302).

[0077] To prevent undegraded portions of the shoe input 118 from being lost through the pores 612, in various embodiments, the pores 612 are sized similar to (slightly larger than, equal to, or smaller than) the final desired size of the shoe input 118 particles. In some embodiments where the shoe input 118 is sieved during the degradation protocol 230 (e.g., during the secondary processing stage 233 and / or during the optional sieving stage 236), the pores 612 may be sized by the same size (or substantially the same size) as the final desired size of the shoe input 118. For example, in various embodiments, the pores 612 are sized by 12 mm or less, or 10 mm or less, or 8 mm or less, or 6 mm or less, or 4 mm or less. In such an embodiment, the holes 612 of the container 302 can therefore act as a sieve through which the degraded portions of the shoe input 118 (i.e., the portions of the shoe input 118 that are equal to or smaller than the final desired size) can be sorted from the undegraded portions of the shoe input 118 (i.e., the portions of the shoe input 118 that are larger than the final desired size).

[0078] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to separate the degraded portion of the shoe input 118 from the compostable input 116. Thus, the size of the aperture 612 is sufficiently smaller than the final desired size to contain both the undegraded and degraded portions of the shoe input 118 within the container 302 during the method 200. In addition to being defined by a maximum size (e.g., a size that is generally equal to or smaller than the final desired size), in various embodiments, the aperture 612 is also defined by a minimum opening size (e.g., a size of at least 2 mm, at least 4 mm, etc.) to ensure adequate airflow into the cavity 606 and through the shoe input 118 contained therein.

[0079] like Fig. 6A and Figure 6B As shown, in various embodiments, the container is optionally provided with a machine-readable label 614. As discussed in detail below, the machine-readable label 614 allows information specific to a batch of shoe inputs 118 (e.g., baseline information collected during step 910) to be associated with a specific container 302 containing the batch of shoe inputs. Also as discussed below, using the machine-readable label 614 of the container 302 during the degradation protocol 230 to obtain information about the shoe inputs 118 contained within the specific container 302 can help adjust specific parameters of one or more steps of the degradation protocol 230 accordingly to meet the specific degradation requirements of the shoe materials 114 contained therein.

[0080] In embodiments where the footwear 114 is derived (in whole or in part) from a collected shoe associated with a machine-readable identifier, the baseline information associated with the machine-readable tag 614 of the container 302 may include an identification of a unique user profile associated with one or more shoes that defines the footwear 114 contained within the container 302. Thus, in some embodiments, the information associated with the machine-readable tag 614 may allow a user to track the degradation progress of their discarded shoes as part of a consumer-based business model.

[0081] In the above discussion, the container 302 has been described as a structure different from / removable from the compost container 304. It will be appreciated that such a container 302 can advantageously allow the method 200 to be used with an existing composting structure without requiring a large economic investment in replacing and / or remodeling (or otherwise modifying) such an existing composting structure. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, some (e.g., all) of the containers 302 may be alternatively (or additionally) defined by the structure of the composting container 304. For example, the interior of the composting container 304 may be subdivided into one or more compartments defining the container. In some such embodiments, the compartments may optionally be defined by movable walls, which may allow the size of the container to vary based on the relative volumes of the compostable input 116 and the shoe input 118 being composted. In addition, although the container 302 has been described as being used to accommodate the shoe input 118, in various embodiments, the container 302 may be alternatively or additionally used to accommodate the compostable input 116 during the method 200.

[0082] As described above, the container 302 of the system 300 advantageously allows the compostable input 116 and the shoe input 118 to be processed by the composting scheme 220 and the degradation scheme 230, respectively, which are customized for the different degradation requirements of each type of material. However, it will be understood that there may also be differences between the degradation requirements of different types of shoe materials 114. Although the differences between different batches of shoe materials 114a, 114b, ... 114n may not be as significant as the differences between shoe materials 114 and compostable materials 112, customizing the degradation scheme 230 according to the specific degradation requirements of different batches of shoe materials 114a, 114b, ... 114n can help further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the method 200 and system 300 in degrading the shoe materials 114.

[0083] like Fig. 7AAs shown, the use of container 302 can therefore allow different batches of shoe materials 114a, 114b, ... 114n to be staggered in the degradation process of method 200. For example, additional shoes 100 collected after the degradation protocol 230a of the first batch of shoe materials 114a begins can be degraded together with the first batch of shoe materials 114a without having to wait for the degradation protocol 230a of the first batch of shoe materials 114a to end.

[0084] like Figure 7B As shown, (and as discussed in more detail below) in such an embodiment, where the degradation protocol 230 is thus optionally tailored to the specific degradation requirements of a particular batch of shoe input 118a, 118b, ... 118n, the container 302 of the system 300 advantageously allows different batches of shoe input 118a, 118b, ... 118n to be subjected to degradation protocols 230a, 230b, ... 230n, which are defined by: different initial processing stages 232a, 232b, ... 232n; different lengths of degradation stages 234a, 234b, ... 234n; and / or different numbers, selections, and / or times of secondary processing stages 233aa, 233ab, ... 233an. Reference Figure 8 , describing additional details regarding the degradation scenario 230 to which the footwear material 114 is subjected during the method 200 .

[0085] like Figure 8 As shown, the degradation protocol 230 begins at step 802 with an initial treatment phase 232. The degradation protocol 230 continues at step 804 with the initiation of a degradation phase 234 during which the shoe input 118 is subjected to the composting conditions of the plurality of runs 308a, 308b, ... 308n of the composting container 304. At step 806, a determination is made as to whether the shoe input 118 has been subjected to the degradation phase 234 for a sufficient period of time (i.e., whether the shoe input 118 has been exposed to the composting conditions of the composting container 304 for the necessary length of time required to achieve the desired degree and / or amount of degradation). As discussed in detail below, at step 806, this determination is made based on whether a predetermined endpoint threshold has been reached. After determining at step 806 that the threshold condition has been reached, the degradation protocol 230 optionally subjects the shoe input 118 to a screening phase 236 at step 808, and then the degradation protocol 230 ends. Conversely, if the predetermined endpoint threshold has not been reached, a determination is made at step 810 as to whether a treatment threshold has been reached (also discussed in detail below). If the processing threshold has been reached, then at step 812 the shoe input 118 undergoes an initial secondary processing phase 233a.

[0086] After the initial secondary processing stage 233a is completed, or in the event that it is determined in step 810 that the processing threshold has not been reached, the shoe input 118 continues to be subjected to the composting conditions of the degradation stage 234 of step 804. It will be appreciated that steps 806, 810, and 812 may be repeated any number of times during the degradation stage 234, and the shoe input 118 may undergo any number of secondary processing stages 233a, 233b, ... 233n until the endpoint threshold is triggered. Fig. 9 , according to an exemplary embodiment, describes an initial processing phase 232 of a degradation scheme 230. Fig. 9 The examples shown and described provide non-limiting illustrations of various types of processing steps that the footwear material 114 may undergo during the initial processing stage 232 .

[0087] In general, the selection, order, and specific combination of processing steps that define the initial processing stage 232 may vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the amount (i.e., volume and / or weight) of the shoe material 114, the type of shoe, shoe components, and / or raw materials that define the collected shoe material 114, the type of composting structure that defines the composting container 304 of the system 300 and / or the specific operating protocol according to which the composting container 304 is operated, the specific composition of the compostable material 112 that degrades with the shoe material 114, etc. Therefore, in various embodiments, the initial processing stage 232 experienced by a first batch of shoe materials 114a may be different from the initial processing stage experienced by other batches of shoe materials 114b, 114c, ... 114n.

[0088] The processing steps that the footwear material 114 undergoes during the initial processing stage 232 can be similar to (e.g., the same as) the types of processing steps that the compostable material 112 undergoes during the preparation stage 222 of the composting scheme 220. In some such embodiments, the compostable material 112 and the footwear material 114 can undergo similar processing steps simultaneously with each other and / or using the same equipment (e.g., using a common shredder).

[0089] like Fig. 9 As shown, in various embodiments, the initial processing stage 232 includes an optional classification step 902. During the classification step 902, the footwear material 114 can be classified using any number of different systems and / or methods, and the classification can be performed at any desired level of granularity. For example, in embodiments where the footwear material 114 includes a complete shoe, the shoe is classified based on, for example, the type of shoe (e.g., sneakers, dress shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) and / or the overall material composition of the shoe (e.g., leather, textile, etc.). In some such embodiments, a single shoe is optionally separated into corresponding shoe components (e.g., sole, shoelaces, upper, heel portion, etc.).

[0090] In various embodiments, the shoe material 114 comprising shoe components can also be sorted based on, for example, shoe component type and / or based on the overall material composition of the shoe component. In embodiments where the shoe material 114 comprises a separate material for making a shoe, the shoe material 114 can be sorted based on material type (e.g., textile, leather, etc.) and / or based on any other desired material properties (e.g., density, etc.). Once the shoe material 114 is sorted at a sufficient desired particle size level in step 902, the sorted shoe material 114 batches are kept separate from each other in subsequent steps of the degradation scheme 230.

[0091] In various embodiments, optional classification of the collected shoe materials 114 at step 902 can further improve the efficiency and / or effectiveness of the degradation of the shoe materials 114. For example, despite being made of biodegradable materials, the TPE sole of a shoe degrades less than the cotton lining of the same shoe when subjected to the same composting conditions. Therefore, classifying the shoe components into different batches (e.g., a batch of TPE soles and a batch of cotton-based linings) allows the degradation scheme 230 to customize the selection, sequence, and / or duration of other processing steps that the TPE sole batch and the cotton-based lining batch will undergo during the initial processing stage 232 (and / or during the secondary processing stage 233) according to the different degradation requirements of the TPE material and the cotton-based material.

[0092] In embodiments where the collected shoe material 114 includes shoes and / or shoe components that are not entirely made of biodegradable materials (or other materials capable of being degraded by method 200 and system 300), sorting of the shoe components during step 902 can be used additionally or alternatively to discard such non-degradable portions of the shoe material 114 so that they do not constitute part of the shoe input 118 that is subjected to subsequent steps of the degradation protocol 230.

[0093] Among other factors, the degradation rate of biodegradable materials depends on the surface area of ​​the material. A larger surface area increases the chance of bioactive substances contacting (and degrading) the material, thereby increasing the degradation rate. Therefore, in order to help accelerate the degradation of the shoe material 114, in step 904, the shoe material 114 is chopped (or otherwise turned into particles of smaller size). During step 904, the shoe material can be chopped into particles of any desired size. During step 904, the size of the shoe material 114 chopped can vary according to, for example, the size of the teeth of the shredder used to shred the shoe material 114. For example, in some embodiments, the shoe material 114 is chopped using a shredder with a tooth spacing of, for example, 5 cm to 30 cm (e.g., between about 10 cm to 20 cm, etc.).

[0094] The shoe material can be chopped into particles of substantially uniform size, or particles of different sizes. For example, chopping some of the shoe material into a larger size may help promote airflow through finer particles. During the preparation phase 222 of the composting scheme 220, the size of the particles into which the shoe material 114 is chopped can be less than, equal to, or greater than the size of the particles into which the compostable material 112 is chopped. In addition to chopping, or as an alternative to chopping, in step 904, the surface area of ​​the shoe material 114 can be increased by subjecting the shoe material 114 to other forms of mechanical stress, such as grinding, milling, compression, shear stress, perforation, etc.

[0095] In some embodiments, the shoe material 114 is not subjected to shredding and / or other methods of increasing surface area at step 904. Instead, the shoe material 114 is optionally subjected to shredding (and / or other methods of increasing surface area) during the secondary processing stage 233. Waiting to shred the shoe material 114 until the shoe material 114 has been sufficiently exposed to composting conditions to achieve a desired initial decrease in structural integrity can help reduce the amount of work required to shred the shoe material 114 and / or can allow the shoe material 114 to be shredded into a smaller initial smaller particle size using a similar amount of work during a later secondary processing stage 233.

[0096] During step 906, the shoe material 114 is optionally subjected to one or more pretreatments intended to remove and / or neutralize harmful (or unwanted) compounds that may be present in the shoe material 114. The pretreatment of step 906 can help minimize (e.g., prevent) the risk of releasing harmful or unwanted compounds during the degradation of the shoe material 114. For example, in embodiments where the shoe material 114 includes a leather material (e.g., suede), the pretreatment of step 906 can help neutralize various chemicals (e.g., chromium) to which the leather material is exposed during the tanning process. Non-limiting examples of other treatments that the shoe material is subjected to in the pretreatment step 906 include, for example, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, enzymatic exposure, and the like.

[0097] Continue to refer Fig. 9, at step 908, the shoe material 114 is exposed to one or more types of bioactive substances. Such bioactive substances may include any number and combination of organisms that are capable of chemically degrading and / or physically degrading the shoe input (e.g., by grinding, tearing, chewing, digesting, etc.). In step 908, non-limiting examples of the types of bioactive substances that the shoe input is exposed to include: bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae, insects, earthworms, etc. The bioactive substances added to the shoe material 114 may be the same or different than the bioactive substances added to the compostable material 112 during the preparation phase 222 of the composting scheme 220. To help ensure that the shoe material 114 is evenly exposed to the bioactive substances, the shoe material 114 is optionally mixed and / or agitated to help evenly distribute the bioactive substances in the shoe material 114.

[0098] The bioactive material added to the shoe material 114 in step 908 can be obtained from many sources. In various embodiments, in step 908, some (e.g., all) of the bioactive material to which the shoe input is exposed includes bioactive materials found in runoff water collected during a previous operation of the compost container (or other composting structure). As another example, the bioactive material used in step 908 can be provided in the form of mature compost collected during a previous operation of the compost container 304 and / or mature compost collected during the operation of a different composting structure. The mature compost is optionally selected so that its particle size is defined by a sieve size (discussed in detail below) that is substantially equal to or less than the sieve size used during screening of the shoe input 118 (e.g., during the secondary processing stage 233 and / or the optional screening stage 236). Thus, in embodiments where the endpoint threshold that triggers the end of the degradation phase 234 is dependent upon the measured weight and / or volume of the shoe input 118, using mature compost having a size equal to or smaller than the mesh size of the sieve allows the mature compost to be separated from the shoe input 118, thereby allowing a more accurate reading of the weight and / or volume of the shoe input 118.

[0099] Continue to refer Fig. 9 In various embodiments, the initial processing phase 232 includes a step 910 in which baseline information related to the shoe material is obtained. The baseline information collected at step 910 may include various types of information that can be used to help assist in the degradation of the shoe material 114 and / or can be used as part of a consumer-based business model associated with the degradation of the shoe material 114. For example, in embodiments where the endpoint threshold that triggers the end of the degradation phase 234 is based on monitoring the weight and / or volume change of the shoe material 114, the information collected at step 910 may include the initial weight and / or volume of the shoe material 114, and, for example, the moisture level of the shoe material 114 when the weight and / or volume are measured and / or the pressure to which the shoe material 114 is subjected when the volume of the shoe material 114 is measured.

[0100] As another example, in various embodiments, one or more parameters defining the conditions to which the shoe input is subjected during subsequent steps of the degradation protocol (e.g., other processing steps that the shoe material 114 may be subjected to during the initial processing stage 232 and / or the secondary processing stage 233, the selection of an endpoint threshold, etc.) can be tailored to the degradation requirements of a particular type of shoe material 114. Thus, in various embodiments, the information collected at step 910 includes identification of one or more characteristics representative of a particular type of shoe, shoe component, and / or specific material defining a particular batch of shoe material 114.

[0101] In embodiments where the shoe material comprises collected shoes (or portions thereof) comprising a machine-readable identifier (e.g., in embodiments where the shoes are collected as part of a consumer-based business model), obtaining the baseline information at step 910 may include obtaining a unique shoe identifier associated with the machine-readable identifier. In embodiments where the containers 302 of the system 300 are provided with machine-readable labels, the baseline information obtained at step 910 is optionally associated with the machine-readable labels of the corresponding one or more containers 302 into which the shoe material 114 is placed after the initial processing stage 232 is completed. Once the initial processing stage 232 has been completed and the shoe input 118 has been placed into the one or more containers 302, the filled containers 302 are loaded into the compost container 304. The process of loading the containers 302 into the compost container 304 may occur before, simultaneously with, and / or after the first batch of compostable input 116a is loaded into the compost container 304.

[0102] In some embodiments, the container 302 is loaded into a first area of ​​the compost container 304, while the compostable input 116 is loaded into a different second area of ​​the compost container 304. Thus, in addition to the separation provided by the container 302, the shoe input 118 and the compostable input 116 are generally isolated from each other in the compost container 304 due to the nature of their relative positions in the compost container 304. In other embodiments, the container 302 is intermixed with the compostable input 116. In such embodiments, the container 302 can be located below, in the middle (i.e., surrounded above and below), and / or above the compostable input 116. In various embodiments, the container 302 is optionally fixed relative to the compost container 304 to further facilitate the selective removal of the shoe input 118 from the compostable input 116, and / or to help minimize (e.g., prevent) the risk of the container 302 accidentally removing the compostable input 116 together during unloading at the end of the run 308.

[0103] Once the container 302 and the compostable input 116 have been loaded into the compost container 304, the initial run 308a of the compost container 304 begins, thereby starting the degradation phase 234 of the degradation scheme 230. As described above, the degradation phase 234 of the degradation scheme 230 defines the length of time that the shoe input 118 is exposed to composting conditions so that the shoe material 114 can achieve a desired degree and / or amount of degradation. Also as described above, the degradation phase 234 of the degradation scheme 230 ends when an endpoint threshold occurs. Therefore, the length of the degradation phase 234 is defined by the selection of the endpoint threshold.

[0104] In some embodiments, the endpoint threshold corresponds to an event that occurs at a fixed time after the degradation protocol 230 is initiated. In such embodiments, the degradation phase 234 is therefore typically defined by a predetermined known length of time. For example, in some embodiments, the endpoint threshold corresponds to a predetermined length of time (e.g., a 60 day period, a 90 day period, a 180 day period, etc.) from the start of the initial run 308a of the composting container 304 in step 208. In the event that the predetermined time period selected as the endpoint threshold corresponds to the time that the composting container 304 is running, the end of the degradation phase 234 is optionally delayed to coincide with the end of the ongoing run 308 of the composting container 304.

[0105] As another example, in some embodiments, the endpoint threshold corresponds to the completion of a predetermined number of runs 308 of the compost container 304 (e.g., at the end of ten runs of the compost container). It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the endpoint threshold may alternatively be manually set. According to other embodiments, the endpoint threshold is defined by a predetermined threshold of one or more monitored parameters. Once it is detected that the measured parameter has reached the threshold (i.e., the reading exceeds the threshold or falls below the threshold), the endpoint threshold is triggered. If the threshold is detected at some point during the operation of the compost container 304, the predetermined time period is optionally delayed to coincide with the end of the run in progress of the compost container 304.

[0106] In other embodiments, the endpoint threshold is based on a predetermined time period / predetermined number of runs 308 and monitored parameters of the compost container 304. For example, given that the shoe input 118 needs to be exposed to the composting conditions for a longer period of time, it is expected that the shoe input 118 will not achieve the desired degree and / or amount of degradation in the early stages of the degradation phase 234. Therefore, in order to avoid unnecessary effort to obtain readings of one or more measured parameters in the initial early stages of the degradation phase 234, monitoring of one or more parameters may instead begin after the predetermined time / predetermined number of runs 308 have ended.

[0107] In various embodiments, the measured parameter upon which the endpoint threshold is based is the weight and / or volume of the shoe input 118. As described above, the shoe input 118 may be exposed to moisture during the initial processing stage 232 and / or the degradation stage 234. It will be appreciated that the measured weight and / or volume of the shoe input 118 may therefore vary depending on the moisture content of the shoe input 118. Additionally, the presence of moisture in the shoe input 118 may cause the degraded portion of the shoe input (i.e., the portion of the shoe input 118 having a particle size equal to or less than the predetermined desired final size) to adhere to the non-degraded portion of the shoe input 118 and, therefore, may not be properly separated from the non-degraded portion of the shoe input 118 during screening.

[0108] Therefore, in order to minimize (e.g., prevent) the effect of the moisture content of the shoe input 118 on the measured weight and / or volume of the shoe input, the shoe input 118 is optionally subjected to a drying process before being screened and measured. In embodiments where the moisture content of the shoe material 114 is obtained at step 910 during the initial processing stage 232, the shoe input 118 is dried prior to measurement to achieve a similar moisture content level. Additionally or alternatively, prior to screening the shoe material 114, the shoe input 118 is optionally subjected to direct and / or indirect agitation (e.g., mixing, stirring, brushing, chopping, etc.) to help separate degraded shoe input 118 from undegraded portions of the shoe input 118.

[0109] In various embodiments, the endpoint threshold (e.g., a predetermined time period, a predetermined number of runs 308, a detection threshold for a monitored parameter, etc.) defining the end of the degradation phase 234 of the degradation protocol 230 will differ for different batches of shoe input 118. Non-limiting examples of variables that may affect the selection of the endpoint threshold for a particular batch of shoe input 118 include: the specific configuration of the compost container 304 and / or the specific operating protocol according to which the compost container 304 is operated, the initial weight and / or volume of the shoe input 118, the type of shoes, shoe components, and / or materials from which the shoe material 114 is derived, etc. In embodiments where different batches of shoe input 118 are assigned different predetermined endpoint thresholds, the correlation of the endpoint threshold to a particular batch of shoe input 118 is optionally assigned to a machine-readable label of the corresponding container 302 containing the shoe input 118. As shown in FIG. Figure 7B As shown, in various embodiments, different batches of shoe inputs 118a, 118b, ... 118n can therefore be defined by degradation stages 234a, 234b, ... 234n having different lengths.

[0110] As mentioned above Figure 8As discussed, the decision as to whether the shoe input 118 should undergo one or more additional secondary processing stages 233 during the degradation stage 234 is made based on the detection of the processing threshold (e.g., see Figure 8 Similar to the discussion above regarding endpoint thresholds, the processing threshold may correspond to any one or more of a fixed time after the start of the degradation phase 234 (e.g., after a predetermined number of runs 308 of the compost container 304 or at the end of a predetermined time period), detection of a monitored parameter value exceeding (i.e., above or below) a target level, and / or manual input.

[0111] For example, in some embodiments, the processing threshold corresponds to the end of operation 308 of the compost container 304. Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, between each run 308a, 308b, ... 308n of the compost container 304, the shoe input 118 undergoes a secondary processing stage 233. In other embodiments, the secondary processing stage 233 may be triggered based on a detected monitored parameter exceeding a target level. In the event that a processing threshold is triggered during the run 308 of the compost container 304, the start of the triggered secondary processing stage 233 may be optionally delayed to coincide with the end time of the ongoing run of the compost container 304. Alternatively, the shoe input 118 may alternatively be temporarily removed from the compost container 304 and subsequently reintroduced into the compost container 304 upon completion of the triggered secondary processing stage 233. It will be appreciated that the ability to quickly and easily separate the shoe input 118 from the compostable input 116 provided by the container 302 of the system advantageously allows the shoe input 118 to undergo a triggered secondary processing stage 233 without significantly disrupting the composting conditions of the compostable input 116 exposed to the compost container 304.

[0112] In some embodiments, the processing threshold may correspond to more than one threshold. For example, the processing threshold may cause the shoe input 118 to undergo a secondary processing stage 233 at the end of each run 308 of the compost container 304 (i.e., in response to a first processing threshold corresponding to the end of a run 308 of the compost container 304), and cause the shoe input 118 to undergo an additional secondary processing stage 233 in response to detecting that the monitored parameter exceeds a target level (e.g., in response to a second processing threshold corresponding to detecting that the moisture level of the shoe input 118 is below the target level).

[0113] Similar to the discussion above regarding endpoint thresholds, the processing thresholds may vary for different batches of shoe input 118 based on a number of different variables, including, but not limited to, specific shoe types, shoe components, and / or types of materials defining the shoe material 114. Thus, different batches of shoe input 118 may be defined by different processing thresholds, and the correspondence between the assigned processing thresholds and specific batches of shoe input 118 may be assigned to the machine-readable labels of the corresponding containers 302 containing the shoe input 118. Similar to the discussion of the processing steps defining the initial processing stage 232 of the degradation scheme 230 (e.g., see Fig. 9 ), the processing steps that the shoe input 118 undergoes during the secondary processing stages 233 are also configured to help promote and accelerate the decomposition of the shoe input 118. In this regard, the shoe input 118 can therefore undergo any number of one or more different types of processing steps during one or more secondary processing stages 233.

[0114] For example, in some embodiments, one or more secondary processing stages 233 may include adding additional bioactive materials to the shoe input 118. In other embodiments, the secondary processing stage 233 may include agitating the shoe input directly (e.g., by stirring the shoe input 118) or indirectly (e.g., by rotating the container 302) to aerate and homogenize the shoe input 118. During the secondary processing stage 233, the degradation of the shoe input 118 may also be directly accelerated by subjecting the shoe input 118 to mechanical stress (e.g., grinding, milling, shredding, etc.).

[0115] Applying mechanical stress to the shoe input may be used to further reduce the structural integrity of the shoe (thereby accelerating degradation) and / or may be used to accelerate degradation by reducing the particle size of the shoe input (or otherwise increasing the surface area of ​​the shoe input 118 for bioactive substances to act on). In various embodiments, the shoe input 118 may optionally be subjected to sieving as part of the one or more secondary processing stages 233 to which it is subjected. In such embodiments, the sieving may be performed in a manner similar to the optional sieving stage 236 described below. In embodiments where the endpoint threshold is based on a measured weight and / or volume of the shoe input 118, the one or more secondary processing stages 233 may include obtaining weight and / or volume measurements of the shoe input 118, as described above with reference to the endpoint threshold.

[0116] In some embodiments, some steps of the secondary processing stage 233 can be completed entirely within the compost container 304 (e.g., indirectly agitating the shoe input 118, adding additional bioactive materials to the shoe input 118, etc.). In some such embodiments, these additional processing steps can be performed while the shoe input 118 remains within the cavity 306 of the compost container 304 and is subjected to the composting conditions created therein. In other embodiments, the additional processing steps of the secondary processing stage 233 may require the shoe input 118 to be removed from the compost container 304. The specific processing parameters (e.g., the selection, sequence, duration, conditions, etc. of one or more processing steps) that define one or more secondary processing stages 233 that the shoe material 114 may be subjected to as part of the degradation stage 234 may be based on any one or more of the following: manual input, a predetermined pre-programmed protocol, and / or a closed-loop system. The specific processing parameters that define the individual one or more secondary processing stages 233a, 233b, ... 233n to which the shoe input 118 is exposed may be the same, or may be different from each other. Likewise, the specific processing parameters defining the individual one or more secondary processing stages 233a, 233b, ... 233n may be the same as the parameters defining the initial processing stage 232 of the degradation scheme 230, or may be different (in part or in whole).

[0117] In some embodiments, where the specific processing parameters defining the secondary processing stage 233 are based in whole or in part on a preprogrammed protocol, the preprogrammed protocol is selected from a plurality of different available preprogrammed protocols. In such embodiments, batches of shoe materials 114 defined by different characteristics (e.g., composted in composting containers 304 having different structures and / or operating according to different operating protocols; defined by different initial weights and / or volumes; derived from different types of shoes, shoe components and / or material types, etc.) are assigned different preprogrammed protocols. It will be appreciated that in embodiments where different batches of shoe input 118 are assigned different preprogrammed protocols, the correlation of a particular preprogrammed protocol to a particular batch of shoe input 118 is optionally assigned to a machine-readable label of a corresponding container 302 containing the shoe input 118.

[0118] In embodiments utilizing a closed loop system, the treatment parameters selected to define the secondary treatment phase 233 are based on one or more monitored variables. In such embodiments, readings (e.g., measurements) of one or more variables associated with the degradation of the shoe input 118 are obtained at one or more time points during the degradation phase 234 and used to identify and select specific treatment parameters that are to define the upcoming secondary treatment phase 233a, 233b, ... 233n. Non-limiting examples of monitored parameters based on which specific treatment parameters are selected include: temperature of the shoe input 118, relative humidity of the shoe input 118, activity of biologically active substances (e.g., determined by measuring nitrogen levels, enzyme levels, etc.), pH levels, air flow, oxygen levels, weight and / or volume changes of the shoe input 118 measured during the previous secondary treatment phase 233, etc. In some embodiments, the same monitored parameters can be used to trigger the secondary treatment phase 233 (i.e., can define a treatment threshold) and define the treatment parameters of the triggered secondary treatment phase 233.

[0119] In some embodiments, a closed loop system and a predetermined protocol are used together to define the processing parameters of the secondary processing stage 233. For example, in some embodiments, the specific processing parameters are initially based on a programmed protocol and subsequently (e.g., after a predetermined time period expires and / or a predetermined number of runs 308 of the compost container 304 are completed) based on one or more monitored parameters. In other embodiments, the processing parameters of each secondary processing stage 233 are defined by a selected default pre-programmed protocol as long as one or more monitored parameters remain within a predetermined acceptable range. In the event that one or more monitored variables exceed a predetermined upper or lower limit, the default specific processing parameters are overwritten and the specific processing parameters are defined by another predetermined selection of processing parameters.

[0120] The processing steps and composting conditions experienced by the shoe input 118 during the degradation protocol 230 subject the shoe material 114 to various stimuli that cause the shoe material 114 to degrade at a faster rate than if the shoe material 114 were disposed of by landfill. Therefore, the method 200 and system 300 described herein advantageously help minimize the amount of waste generated by disposing of the shoe. Therefore, in various embodiments, the degradation protocol 230 ends after the degradation stage 234, and a reduction in the waste footprint of the discarded shoe material 114 has been achieved.

[0121] However, as described above, an additional benefit of utilizing compost in the degradation of biodegradable materials is that during the composting process, the activity of the bioactive material causes the biodegradable material to be degraded into compost, which can be used to return nutrients to the soil. Therefore, in various embodiments, during the final step 212 of the degradation scheme 230, the shoe input 118 undergoes an optional screening stage 236. During the screening stage 236, the shoe input 118 is separated into particles of different sizes (e.g., by passing the particles through a sieve). Particles smaller than a first predetermined sieve size (e.g., a size equal to or less than 15 mm, or equal to or less than 12 mm, or equal to or less than 10 mm) are collected for use as compost. In some embodiments, during subsequent runs of the method 200, particles ranging in size from the first predetermined sieve size to a larger second predetermined sieve size (e.g., a particle size less than 50 mm or less than 40 mm) are collected for use as bioactive materials. Particles larger than the second predetermined sieve size are disposed of in any desired manner (e.g., by landfill, incineration, etc.). In some embodiments, the predetermined final desired size used to determine whether the footwear material 114 has reached a desired degree and / or amount of degradation may correspond to one of the first predetermined mesh size or the second predetermined mesh size.

[0122] It will be appreciated that during step 212, the last batch of compostable input 116n may undergo a similar optional screening step 226 of the composting protocol 220. Previous batches of compostable input 116a, 116b, ... 116n-1 may also undergo the optional screening step 226. The first predetermined mesh size and / or the second predetermined mesh size according to which the compostable input 116 is separated in the screening step 226 may be the same mesh size as used during the screening stage 236 of the degradation protocol, or may be different.

[0123] In some embodiments, where the shoe input 118 is subjected to screening (e.g., during the secondary processing stage 233 and / or during the optional screening stage 236), the portion of the shoe input 118 collected as compost can be mixed with the portion of the compostable input 116 collected as compost. In other embodiments, the compost obtained from the shoe input 118 is collected (and optionally packaged) separately from the compost collected from the compostable input 116. Thus, in such embodiments, a batch of compost collected can be defined entirely as being derived from the degradation of the shoe material 114.

[0124] As stated above, those skilled in the art will understand that although the present disclosure has been described above in conjunction with specific embodiments and examples, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and many other embodiments, examples, uses, and modifications and deviations to the embodiments, examples, and uses are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for degrading footwear, the method comprising: providing at least a portion of a shoe; shredding the shoe into an initial amount of shoe input, the shoe input being defined by shredded particles of the shoe; adding a bioactive substance to said shoe input; placing the shoe input into a container; loading the container into a compost container; operating the composting container for a period of time; as well as After a period of time has elapsed, the shoe input is removed from the compost container, Wherein, after removing the shoe input, at least about 30% of the shoe input has a particle size equal to or less than about 12 mm.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Said shoes were completely shredded.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Prior to shredding, the shoe is separated into its components.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: Only some of the separated shoe parts are shredded.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The upper of the shoe is shredded.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: After shredding, the shoe particles defining the shoe input have a size of about 25 mm or less.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: After shredding, the shoe particles defining the shoe input have a size greater than about 10 mm.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The shoe input is heated within the compost container to a temperature between approximately 40 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The shoe input remains within the compost container for a period of at least two weeks.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: adding a first compostable input into the compost container, Wherein heating the shoe input to a temperature between about 40 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius includes heating the shoe input and the first batch of compostable input to a temperature between about 40 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius at a first predetermined time.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: removing the first compostable input from the compost container; as well as adding a second batch of compostable input to the compost container, The shoe input and the second batch of compostable input are present in the compost container at the same time.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Heating the shoe input to a temperature between about 40 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius includes heating the shoe input and the second compostable input to a temperature between about 40 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius for a second predetermined time.

13. A method for degrading footwear, the method comprising: Load the first compostable input into the compost container; loading a first batch of shoe materials from one or more shoes into a cavity of a compost container; operating the composting container for a first period of time; After the first period of time has elapsed, removing the first batch of compostable materials from the compost container; as well as After the first period of time has ended, the composting container is operated for a second period of time, During the second period of time, the first batch of shoe materials is in the cavity of the compost container.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The shoe input is entirely from one or more shoes or parts thereof.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: After the first period of time has elapsed, a second batch of compostable material is loaded into the cavity of the compost container, Wherein, during the second period of time, the second batch of compostable materials is within the cavity of the composting container.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The compost container performs a first operation according to the operation plan during the first period of time, and performs a second operation according to the operation plan during the second period of time.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: During each operation, the operating scheme controls operation of the composting container to increase the temperature within the cavity to a temperature of at least about 40 degrees Celsius.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The operating scheme further controls operation of the composting container to maintain a temperature within the cavity between about 40 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius for a period of at least one week.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The volume of the cavity of the compost container is at least about 20 cubic meters.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The shoe material is contained in one or more containers within the cavity of the compost container.

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