Having already worked with cutting-edge, decarbonization company Rubi Laboratories and next-gen materials firm Infinia, collaborated with other brands – from household names like Levi’s to more niche outerwear specialists like 66°NORTH – it feels like GANNI is consistently taking its planet-conscious ethos new levels and new audiences.

Now, the Danish label’s latest collaborative effort will take that message even further.

Linking with American footwear outfit New Balance in a reprise of last year’s 2002R, the team at GANNI has once again reworked two of the brand’s signature silhouettes, this time taking on the 1906R and RC30.

GANNI being GANNI, of course, this isn’t just a slap-your-name-on it (or slap-some-yellow-on-it) kind of deal. When we say that these two sneakers have been reworked, we really do mean from the ground up.

For starters, neither shoe has any animal-derived leather to speak of. But that doesn’t mean it’s been swapped out for virgin plastics, either. Quite the opposite, in fact – there’s more recycled materials here than almost any recent major-brand collaboration.

In terms of the 1906, the shoe comprises a 100% recycled polyester saddle, 100% recycled polyester vamp lining, 100% recycled polyester collar lining, 100% recycled polyester insert top cloth, and – yup, you guessed it – 100% recycled polyester laces. All of which adds up to a pretty thoughtful piece of footwear.

Now, there’s a good chance – especially when we’ve covered a fair few New Balance near-misses recently when it comes to questions of friendliness to flora and fauna – that there’s a voice in your head right now, accented with some understandable cynicism. A voice that’s saying something like, “Okay, well, that’s one shoe – what about the other one?”.

Well, good question. And, at the risk of repeating ourselves, the RC30 is constructed from a 100% recycled polyester saddle, 100% recycled polyester vamp lining, 100% recycled polyester collar lining, and – wait for it – a 100% recycled polyester insert top cloth.

All of which is to say that, while the cynicism is understandable – and while, of course, it’s always good to push for answers – in this case, it’s also wholly unwarranted. These are two shoes where it’s fair to say that a more mindful material construction has taken a starring role – not just an added extra, but the marquee talent of this collaboration.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about the colorways – we said it wasn’t just a case of splashing a little yellow onto these shoes. We didn’t say there wasn’t any at all. There is, in fact, a lot. This is still GANNI we’re talking about, after all.

If all that sounds good to you, then here’s what you need to know: the GANNI x New Balance 1906R – which comes in “Egret” and “Blazing Yellow” – is due to release August 16th in all regions via various retailers, while the RC30, releasing on the same day in “Bumblebee Black and Yellow,” will be a GANNI exclusive. Both shoes are set for a $170 USD RRP.