A smaller carbon footprint starts with your shoes
A search for "green" shoes will turn up vegan, cruelty-free, biodegradable, recycled, and cruelty-free leather options. Which are truly better for the earth?
One eco-friendly route is to go for a non-leather (or "vegetarian") shoe or one made entirely without animal products (a "vegan" shoe). The greenest footwear is made from natural, biodegradable materials like hemp, cotton, coconut, and sustainably–produced latex rubber (obtained from trees that aren't chopped down in the process). For those occasions that call for something dressier, many leather-look shoes made from synthetics are available.
Not synthetic shoes are made the same: look at the label for breathable products made without PVC (a toxic chemical) and that contain a high percentage of biodegradable materials. Recycled footwear is the greenest of the green, saving everything from old clothing to car tires from the landfill to create fashionable, ethical styles for your feet. Wearing used shoes from thrift stores is another way to leave a smaller carbon footprint.
Many well-known manufacturers like Timberland, Nike and Patagonia deserve another look for introducing product lines with preferably-made leather (either called cruelty-free based upon the source of the leather, or vegetable-dyed because the tanning process does not rely on toxic chemicals) or which include some recycled materials. Transparency is another issue. Timberland, for example, introduced a "nutritional label" for their shoes, listing such factors as environmental impact and factory location, as part of their commitment to the environment and helping consumers make informed choices. .
Non-leather shoes
| Sweatshop-free hemp shoes with rubber or recycled soles | |
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Vegan shoes, bags, and other animal-free accessories |
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Eco-friendly, Fair Trade sneaker collection--shoes are made with organic cotton canvas and FSC-certifed all natural sustainable soles; all are 100% vegan |
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Fair trade athletic and casual shoes made with organic cotton and natural latex |
| Recycled rubber compound soles and natural coconut matting to prevent odors; low packaging and a preference for local sourcing | |
| Athletic shoes made from recycled postconsumer materials | |
| Organic cotton and with part-recycled rubber sneakers | |
| Vegan shoes, wallets and belts in men's, women's and unisex styles. | |
| Vegan dress shoes for men and women* | |
| Hemp shoes | |
| Dress and casual vegan shoes for men and women* | |
| Sandals and casual shoes made out of natural latex, cotton, and recycled materials. | |
| Recycled, hemp, and vegan shoes; men's, women's, and unisex styles |
*Some shoes contain polyurethane, a petroleum product.
Leather shoes
| Recycled tire sole leather boots and sandals; plants a tree for every pair of shoes sold | |
| "Considered" line and "Trash Talk" shoe incorporate leather and synthetic leather waste, scrap materials and natural rubber | |
| Outdoors shoes made from recycled materials, organically-processed leather, and sustainable latex as well as a vegan shoe selection | |
| Earthkeepers product line includes shoes with recycled, organic, and renewable content designed for reduced climate impact |
Why it's important
For traditionally-cured leather products, the normal tanning and dying process uses formaldehyde, chrome, cyanide and other dangerous chemicals, while contributing to water pollution, greenhouse gases, and health risks to workers.
Besides inspecting a shoe's "ingredients", look at the manufacturer's labor practices and overall company philosophy. Adbusters' Black Spot shoes exemplify the nonprofit organization's commitment to finding a new way to consume, based on sweatshop-free alternatives to big corporations' products. Investing a little more time and money to find footwear made by an upstanding company means you can walk taller, and maybe even longer, in those shoes.
Learn More
Learn more about the Conscious Consumer Marketplace.
If you would like for your company to be listed in the Conscious Consumer Marketplace, please email Carolyn Danckaert or call 301.891.3683 ext. 125.