So what are recycled footwear?
Properly, on the threat of sounding apparent, they’re footwear manufactured from recycled supplies—at the very least partially—however that wasn’t our sole consideration.
Similar to after we sussed out the sustainable rain boots, repairable shoes and ethical heels, we thought of our sustainable and ethical fashion standards.
Supplies:
Footwear is a notoriously finicky topic as a result of many elements required to make a sturdy pair of footwear.
For this listing, we prioritized footwear constructed from recycled plastic bottles, recycled tires, or every other method of recycled materials, particularly something recycled to switch the EVA foam that makes footwear cushioned—like recycled algae.
Many nonetheless battle adopting sustainable supplies right here, as a result of relating to recycled supplies, footwear might require sure efficiency elements that recycled substances can’t match but.
Sneakers made out of recycled plastic are synthetic fabrics, so that they’re not compostable, which is okay as a result of footwear not often are, they usually’re diverting sustainable supplies from landfills.
- Certifications: Global Recycled Standard (GRS), bluesign®, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), ZQ Merino, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Leather Working Group (LWG), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
Provide chain & labor practices:
Being an ethical shoe brand additionally means being conscious of the folks behind the footwear, in addition to the planet beneath them.
Common impartial audits carried out by third-party organizations are one of the simplest ways to hunt reassurance of excessive social and environmental requirements.
Carbon commitments & inexperienced practices:
Sneakers made out of recycled supplies are the primary steps on a path towards sustainable footwear. But it surely’s a protracted and winding highway that begins with creating sturdy and washable footwear in order that they will cowl lots of floor earlier than needing to be recycled once more.
Different issues high recycled shoe manufacturers are doing embody providing restore and recycling providers, counteracting emissions by supporting carbon offset programs, and utilizing renewable power.
Neighborhood & charitable giving:
Shoe manufacturers that use recycled supplies AND go the additional mile to flow into the wealth by supporting group occasions and donating of merchandise or proceeds put an additional spring in our step.
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