Location – Based at their workshop in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, with stores across the world in Ethiopia, Germany, Singapore, United States, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

Groups involved – Avoid large companies, with only local farmer and tradespeople used.

Background – Set up by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu to blend her Ethiopian community’s artisan talents with traditional recycled tire shoes named barabasso. Name derives from the original ‘soleRebels’ who fought off invading forces. Promotes the opportunities for people passionate with their projects or idea to set up their own store, selling their products, this has led to worldwide growth.

Aims – ‘We are committed to creating products that have positive impacts not just on our customers and the earth, but on the quality of life of our community ‘. With emphasis on the use of eco-friendly resources, community aid and benefits for their staff.

Resources recycled – Used tires to form the soles of many products, with organic cotton and other non-recycled but environmentally friendly materials used.

Social impacts – Focus on their employees and the local community. Provide access to education, healthcare, and well-being for employees. Offer employees 4/5 times minimum wage, over three times the industry average salery. For employees with disabilities transport is provided to and from work.

Economic impacts – Avoid the ‘middleman’ having profits go straight back into the community, also sell their products worldwide bringing capitol into the country. Use local products; leather, plant fibres and cotton.

Environmental impacts – Diverts waste from landfills and CO2 emissions as burning tires is common. Using traditional eucalyptus looms for producing fabrics electricity consumption is reduced, as well as a zero carbon output. Homegrown fabrics also used for products, with little water and no chemical inputs required for the Koba plant specifically. When shipping hand-loomed reusable chinsaks are used.

References - https://www.solerebels.com/pages/about https://africa.com/10-young-afripreneurs-creating-solutions-recycling-upcycling-waste/