Rothy's
Circular footwear and accessories knit from recycled materials.
Photo credit: Rothy's
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- Founder
- Stephen Hawthornthwaite, Roth Martin
Rothy's is a San Francisco footwear and accessories brand that 3D-knits shoes and bags from thread made with recycled plastic bottles and other post-consumer materials. Founded in 2012 by Stephen Hawthornthwaite and Roth Martin and launched to consumers in 2016, the company set out to prove stylish, washable everyday shoes could also divert plastic from waste streams.
By knitting uppers to shape, Rothy's reduces cut-and-sew scrap compared with traditional footwear manufacturing, and operates a take-back / recycling program so worn products can re-enter the materials loop. The assortment has expanded from women’s flats into sneakers, handbags, and men’s styles while keeping circular materials at the core of the product story.
Rothy's became a certified B Corporation and later took a major strategic investment from Alpargatas (Havaianas), underscoring how circular consumer brands can scale into category leaders without abandoning recycled-content manufacturing.
Key benefits
Recycled Materials
Signature thread turns post-consumer plastic bottles into soft, durable knit footwear and accessories.
Knit-to-Shape
3D knitting cuts manufacturing scrap versus traditional cut-and-sew shoe construction.
Washable Longevity
Machine-washable designs encourage longer ownership instead of disposable fashion cycles.
B Corp Circular
Certified impact practices plus take-back programs close the loop on worn products.
Latest News and Funding Rounds
Impact is measured in plastic bottles diverted into yarn, waste avoided through knit-to-shape production, and circular take-back programs. Rothy's sells durable, washable products designed for long wear, then recovers materials at end of life — coupling consumer design with industrial recycling infrastructure.
Raised ~$244M including a large Alpargatas investment valuing the company near $1B. B Corp certified (2019). Reports millions of plastic bottles repurposed into products (17M+ cited in public reporting). Headquartered in San Francisco with global shipping.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Rothy's do?
- Rothy's is a San Francisco footwear and accessories brand that 3D-knits shoes and bags from thread made with recycled plastic bottles and other post-consumer materials. Founded in 2012 by Stephen Hawthornthwaite and Roth Martin and launched to consumers in 2016, the company set out to prove stylish, washable everyday shoes could also divert plastic from waste streams. By knitting uppers to sha…
- Where is Rothy's based?
- Rothy's is based in California, United States.
- What sector does Rothy's operate in?
- Rothy's operates in the Circular Economy sector.
- Who founded Rothy's?
- Stephen Hawthornthwaite, Roth Martin
