Buying a pair of perfect shoes can be challenging. There are many factors to consider that may become difficult for a typical customer.
The current article provides insights into considerations before buying sustainable shoes and the benefits of buying them.
Many brands produce sustainable shoes. Some of the most popular sustainable shoe brands are discussed in this article.
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What are Sustainable Shoes?
Sustainable shoes are made mostly using recycled waste and involve an eco-friendly manufacturing process.
These shoes contribute positively to environmental conservation. They minimize toxic waste due to the use of recycled materials. They also use much lesser water and harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process.
These shoes are not made from animal products and thus do not involve animal killing. Most brands are now venturing into making sustainable shoes. It allows them to contribute to environmental conservation. Being driven by eco-friendly conscience also helps them to get better recognition and ensure brand building in a competitive market.
Things to Consider Before Buying Sustainable Shoes?
Sustainable shoes are gaining popularity among customers. You should consider the following factors before buying them.
Materials Used for Making the Shoes
The first thing to consider while buying sustainable shoes is the materials used for making them. A pair of good eco-friendly shoes should be ideally made from recycled materials.
Adidas makes sustainable shoes from recycled ocean waste- drifting fishnets. These shoes help to clear the ocean from toxic waste which would have otherwise remained a toxic waste for marine life for many years.
Shoes made from recycled materials reduce toxic waste and prevent them from ending up in landfills and oceans. They also need lesser water and energy during the manufacturing process. You should check the labels to verify that the shoes are made from recycled waste before buying them.
Durability
Durability should be checked before buying a sustainable shoe. Most shoes are dumped into waste.
Since they are made from synthetic compounds, they take a long time to decompose.
The soles of some trainers can take more than 1,000 years to decompose completely.
When you buy a durable pair of sustainable shoes, they will last longer. You won’t have to keep replacing them frequently. This creates less waste and toxic materials as lesser shoes are produced.
Fair Trade Practices
Manufacturing shoes involved different steps and phases. It is better to buy from brands that follow fair trade practices.
It consists of supporting local businesses and community, providing decent working conditions, and not involving in exploitative labor practices.
There have been reports of workers being exploited in poor working conditions and being paid meager wages in third-world countries.
You should not buy from companies who don’t follow fair trade practices. You don’t want to buy shoes that carry the guilt of being made by slave labor.
Benefits of Using Sustainable Shoes
Some of the salient benefits of using sustainable shoes are as follows:
Reduces Garbage
Brands are making eco-friendly shoes using waste and recycled materials.
Nike manufactures more than 70% of its shoes, using recycled materials. They recycled nearly 92% of their total scrap in 2015.
Most people dump their shoes after using them and buy new ones. These shoes end up getting accumulated either in landfills or in the ocean bed. They negatively impact the environment.
Recycling this waste for making new shoes prevents them from going into landfills or the oceans. It also saves energy which would have been otherwise required to manufacture shoes from scratch.
Reduced Water Consumption
Making sustainable shoes has other indirect benefits to the environment.
Global brands like Nike and Adidas have been working on making shoes that require less water for manufacturing. The special waterless dye process used by Nike has helped it to save more than 5 million gallons of water.
Each one of us can do out a bit and contribute towards environment conservation by choosing to buy sustainable shoes.
Water is a precious natural resource, and it needs to be preserved for our survival and that of future generations.
Sustainable shoes have a lower carbon footprint due to their manufacturing process and the use of recycled materials.
It Supports Animal Rights
It is not necessary to be cruel to animals for making high-quality shoes. It is estimated that one cow skin makes nearly 18 pairs of shoes.
Sometimes, animals are killed for making leather and fur shoes. Wearing shoes that involve cruelty to animals for manufacturing can make you feel guilty.
Sustainable shoes provide an excellent alternative. They are made from eco-friendly raw materials which are mostly recycled. There is no cruelty to animals at any stage during their manufacturing.
You can flaunt elegant and classy shoes without any guilt of being cruel to animals. Sustainable shoes thus support animal rights and are being preferred by consumers.
Brand Building
Brands are becoming more conscious of their obligation to contribute to environmental conservation.
Customers also prefer green and sustainable brands that care for the environment.
Manufacturing sustainable shoes are not only eco-friendly, but it is also a great strategy for long-term brand building.
Brands can position themselves as sustainable and green, which will help them connect with the customers.
Customers appreciate and prefer eco-friendly brands over regular brands.
Making eco-friendly shoes is an excellent way to give back to the environment and the local community. It helps brands to connect positively with the customers and the community where they work.
Unique and Durable Footwear
A distinct advantage of buying sustainable shoes is that they are unique. They are different from the regular shoes available in the market.
You will stand out from the competition using these sustainable shoes.
Sustainable shoes are also durable. They generally last longer than regular shoes.
You will not need to buy shoes frequently. Since they are long-lasting, buying sustainable shoes offers good value for money too.
It is also easier to maintain and take care of sustainable shoes. You can wash or clean them using cold water and a mild cleaner.
Hence, buying a pair of sustainable shoes adds a style quotient to your outfit and also contributes positively to the environment.
Top 10 Brands for Buying Sustainable Shoes
The top 10 brands for buying sustainable shoes are as follows:
Adidas
Adidas is a world-renowned shoe manufacturer. It is a strong proponent of manufacturing sustainable shoes.
Adidas makes its famous Adidas x Parley Ocean Sneakers. These sneakers are made from recycled ocean plastic, mostly from fishnets. It launches these sneakers in the year 2016.
In 2017 and 2018, Adidas has sold more than 1 million and 5 million pairs of their ocean sneakers globally.
Adidas is using recycled materials for manufacturing other shoes also in their portfolio. They make some of the best designed sustainable shoes in the market.
VEJA
VEJA shoes are known to be the word’s most eco-friendly shoes. They have a premium niche and are sported by celebrities and renowned persons.
They are designed and made using rubber from the Amazon forests and organic cotton.
There are many different designs and patterns of shoes for both men and women from VEJA.
It has become the leading name and the go-to-brand for sustainable shoe lovers. You cannot go wrong with a pair of sustainable shoes from VEJA.
TOMS
TOMS is a popular shoe manufacturer. It is known for its stylish and eco-friendly shoes.
They are also renowned for their social causes and commitment to charities.
They partner with charities to given children in need of shoes.
They have given away more than 86 million shoes to children who don’t have shoes.
TOMS manufacture sustainable shoes in different designs. They have slip-on shoes, lace-up shoes, platform sneakers, etc.
Vegan and eco-friendly raw materials are used for producing their shoes.
Materials like natural hemp, organic cotton, and recycled polyester, etc. are used.
The shoe packaging boxes are also made from recycled waste and soy ink.
Allbirds
Allbirds’ shoes are made from high-quality recycled materials. They use raw materials like ZQ merino wool, eucalyptus tree fibers, recycled plastic shoelaces, etc.
Allbird shoes use a unique design that is very comfortable.
The SweetFoam soles are made using sugarcane.
The inner linings of the sustainable shoes made by Allbirds are made from recycled plastic and castor bean oil.
The packing box for these shoes is also made from 90% recycled cardboard.
You can use the packing box as a shopping bag later. Allbirds has made it to a valuation of more than $77 million in only four years since its inception.
Tread by Everlane
Tread by Everlane uses recycled and natural rubber. Their shoe uppers are made from leather that comes from a gold-certified tannery.
The brand claims that their leather is sourced from the cleanest sources. The laces and linings are made from recycled plastic bottles.
Tread by Everlane claims that they make the lowest-impact sneakers in the world.
The outsoles of these sneakers are made using 100% recycled plastic bottles.
The shoes are very comfortable even after wearing them for long periods.
They are priced less than $100 and offer great value for money.
Oliver Cabell
Oliver Cabell is a niche brand that is known for making some exquisite and timeless shoes.
Their sneakers use a minimalistic design that is a perfect blend of old school and modern design elements.
The shoes are made using only the best quality materials and are hand-stitched.
The company has a strong social conscience. They are committed to environmental conservation and thus make sustainable shoes.
Their eco-friendly shoes are manufactured using recycled plastic and other waste.
They will be soon launching their 3D printed sneakers that will be made completely using recycled plastic bottles.
If you want to buy stylish sneakers that are eco-friendly, then Oliver Cabell is the brand to explore.
Flamingos Life
Flamingos Life is a Spanish brand that is known for its stylish shoes. Their designs have changed the way sustainable shoes are made.
They make sustainable shoes using different types of recycled materials.
Flamingos Life uses plastic water bottles, natural rubber, organic cotton, and other recycled waste to manufacture eco-friendly shoes.
Not only does this brand manufacture high-quality, sustainable shoes, but they also make donations to charities working on environment and education projects.
However, the only drawback is that their sneakers are available in Europe and do not ship to other continents.
Converse
Converse is another popular sneaker brand. It makes some of the most sought-after and timeless sneakers.
Their famous Converse Renew collection is a sustainable shoe made using recycled materials.
The upper is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The finishing and build quality is excellent. You get an amazingly comfortable shoe that is also eco-friendly.
Converse sources plastic bottles for making these shoes. The plastic bottles are then crushed into flakes, melted, and then turned into bales.
These bales are then spun into yarn, followed by being weaved into a canvas. The Renew collection is entirely customizable and available in all sizes.
Nike
Nike is one of the biggest shoemakers in the world.
They have been continuously breaking new grounds when it comes to manufacturing high-quality sports shoes and equipment.
Nike is committed to environmental conservation. They have been manufacturing sustainable shoes that are made from recycled waste.
Nike has its unique dry dye technology that uses negligible water while tying their shoes.
The brand has recycled more than 6.4 billion plastic bottles into footwear or other sports gear.
Their signature Flyknit material which is standard across most of their footwear is made from 50% recycled plastic.
Timberland
Timberland has been making sustainable shoes before the trend became popular. They make excellent outdoor shoes.
Timberland launched the Earthkeepers collection in 2007. It featured green rubber soles that were made from recycled tires.
The lining and laces of these shoes were made from recycled plastic bottles.
The brand continues to use recycled materials for making sustainable shoes. It has recycled more than 345 million plastic bottles for manufacturing sustainable shoes.
Their new shoe collection-the Brooklyn EK+ is made using recycled plastic. The upper is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles while the outsoles are made from 34% recycled rubber.
