EcoSpark

What it does

EcoSpark is a sustainable insole made from recycled plastics that captures energy from walking using piezoelectric materials. It stores the energy to power small devices, helping reduce battery waste and giving new life to plastic pollution.

Your inspiration

The idea for EcoSpark was born from seeing two major issues—plastic pollution and growing e-waste—affect communities around me. On a trip to a landfill near my hometown, I saw mountains of discarded plastic and broken electronics, including piles of dead batteries. I wondered if every day human movement could be turned into a clean energy source while giving plastic waste a second life. As a student passionate about sustainability and innovation, I envisioned a solution that could make people part of the energy system simply by walking—turning steps into power, and waste into something purposeful.

How it works

EcoSpark works by turning your footsteps into clean, usable energy. Each insole is made from durable recycled plastics and contains flexible piezoelectric materials, which generate small amounts of electricity when compressed. As you walk, the pressure from each step activates these materials, creating an electric charge. This energy is collected and stored in a built-in micro-battery, housed in the heel area of the insole. A small, removable port or wireless transmitter allows the stored energy to be used for low-power devices like fitness trackers, emergency lights, or small wearables. The design is lightweight, waterproof, and fully integrated into a standard insole form, making it seamless for everyday use. EcoSpark combines sustainable materials with innovative energy harvesting to offer a practical way for people to generate and store clean energy with every step.

Design process

The design process for EcoSpark began with the core question: Can everyday walking power small devices while solving the plastic waste crisis? I started by researching energy-harvesting technologies and identified piezoelectric materials, as the most promising option for converting motion into electricity. The initial concept was sketched as a thin insole with layered piezo films and a small battery embedded in the heel. The first prototype used 3D-printed housing and off-the-shelf piezoelectric strips placed between two recycled plastic sheets. While it could generate power, it was too rigid and uncomfortable. In the second version, I switched to flexible piezo films and redesigned the layout to distribute pressure more evenly across the foot. This greatly improved comfort and energy efficiency. Next, I added a micro energy storage unit and USB port to test power output. It successfully charged a small LED light after several hours of walking. I’m currently refining the insole’s durability, optimizing power output, and exploring wireless charging modules to eliminate the need for cables. Future iterations will integrate sensors to track steps and energy generation in real-time.

How it is different

EcoSpark stands out by combining two critical sustainability goals—reducing plastic waste and generating clean energy through motion—into a single, wearable solution. While some insoles harvest energy and others use recycled materials, EcoSpark is unique in uniting both. It uses flexible piezoelectric layers embedded in a sole made from post-consumer plastics, creating a product that’s not only eco-friendly but also functional. Unlike bulky or experimental energy-harvesting shoes, EcoSpark fits seamlessly into standard footwear and offers comfort, durability, and practicality. It also includes a modular storage unit and optional wireless charging feature, making it more accessible and versatile than current prototypes. EcoSpark empowers users to contribute to clean energy and circular design just by walking—something no existing product achieves with this level of integration and sustainability.

Future plans

The next steps for EcoSpark include optimizing the energy output and comfort by testing advanced piezoelectric materials and thinner battery storage. I plan to develop a final working prototype and conduct user trials to gather real-world data on durability and power efficiency. For business development, I aim to collaborate with footwear brands and sustainability-focused investors to scale production using recycled plastics from local waste streams. My goal is to make EcoSpark affordable, durable, and accessible globally turning millions of steps into clean energy while tackling plastic pollution and battery waste at the same time.

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