Burel Factory launches flip flops made from wool and rubber waste

Burel Factory has launched its first Reloved flip flops, produced in Serra da Estrela using recycled industrial waste from two natural materials: 100% wool burel and latex rubber, according to the Portuguese brand’s website.

“From trash to wonder. Step by step. Introducing the new Burel Factory flip flops, in collaboration with EAB and Cool Gray,” the company said in a statement.

The brand highlights that the flip flops are made using only natural materials, combining leftover wool from its textile production with discarded latex rubber to ensure comfort and durability. Inspired by the surrounding landscapes of Beira Alta—an area severely affected by wildfires this summer—Burel Factory aims to promote circular design in everyday products.

“By recycling our own textile waste, we have created a product that is soft, resilient, and entirely sustainable. No waste—just reinvented natural materials,” the brand explains.

According to the company, the flip flops are “perfect for relaxing at home or strolling outdoors,” offering a functional design that proves “innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.” Burel Factory encourages customers to “join us in closing the loop. Tread lighter, walk better.”

The label is known for preserving traditional wool-making techniques from Serra da Estrela, with garments crafted by local artisans who warp, card, spin, and weave on machines dating back to the 19th century. The wool used comes from sheep raised in the region, which “graze happily in the open air on the upper plateaus of the mountain,” the company states.

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