You might be familiar with fast fashion, which refers to contemporary, trendy clothes that are often cheaply manufactured and sold at low prices. It can be fun to play around with trends, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with inexpensive clothing. And yet when fads fade, a lot of those trendy pieces go into landfills. Not only that, but the process of manufacturing fast fashion is often wasteful in and of itself.
Unfortunately, the environmental impact of fast fashion goes beyond clothing. Shoes can be extremely wasteful to produce, and they aren’t usually recyclable. But the good news is that sustainability is gaining traction in the footwear industry.
If you’re leaning toward an environmentally conscious lifestyle and are curious about footwear sustainability, you’re in the right place. Here’s what you should know about sustainable fashion, why it matters, and what to look for when shopping for eco-friendly shoes.
What Does Sustainability Mean?
Before we step into the world of sustainable footwear, let’s cover the basics. What does sustainability mean, exactly? With regard to the environment, sustainability is “a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.”
Some people view it as a way to meet current needs without affecting the ability of later generations to meet their needs. One of the most familiar examples is water bottles. Instead of using single-use plastic bottles—most of which are thrown out and eventually pollute the planet or become ocean plastic—many are now opting for reusable drinking containers.
When it comes to fashion, sustainability generally means that the manufacturing process avoids depleting limited natural resources with the goal of maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Fair trade is often part of the approach as well, meaning companies and workers that produce goods in developed countries are paid fair rates. Ultimately, sustainable footwear and clothing benefit people, animals, the environment, and the economy both now and in the future.
What Are Sustainable Shoe Materials?
Not long ago, most consumers weren’t concerned with (or aware of) how their shoes were made. Today, with resources and information at our fingertips, more and more people are becoming educated about the environment. Many are now committed to living sustainably in all facets of life, including where they shop and what they wear. As a result, many shoe companies—Vionic included—are stepping up their game by offering ecologically friendly footwear.
But what is sustainable footwear made out of? There aren’t any concrete parameters a sustainable shoe brand must follow, and it’s almost impossible to create a 100% green pair of shoes. However, at least some of the materials used are typically ethically sourced and responsibly produced.
Sustainable shoe materials can include:
- Reclaimed or recycled materials, such as rubber or plastic
- Renewable materials, like cork, organic cotton, jute, or bamboo
- Artisan-loomed and fair trade fabrics
- Upcycled leather
When you browse eco-friendly footwear, you might find fabric or vegan leather shoes made out of recycled natural rubber tires or recycled plastic bottles recovered from the ocean. Cork, cotton, jute, and bamboo are considered renewable resources because they quickly replenish themselves without any human intervention. Some brands use artisan-loomed fabrics and other handmade, fair trade materials. Though leather itself isn’t considered sustainable (or vegan), upcycled leather shoes reduce waste.
What are vegan shoes exactly? Vionic carries comfy and supportive sneakers with ethically sourced cotton uppers. With sustainable footwear, you can invest in your feet while being kind to the planet.
Why You Should Wear Sustainable Footwear
You might not need convincing to go green, but it doesn’t hurt to get into the nitty-gritty of why you should consider sustainable footwear. For starters, each person in the United States buys an average of seven and a half pairs of new shoes each year. Not only that, but upwards of 300 million pairs of old shoes are thrown out on an annual basis.
Don’t get us wrong—our closets are full of shoes, and we believe footwear is the spice of life. And yet, if every pair of shoes you purchase are eventually thrown away, it will only add to the already immense amounts of landfill throughout the world. Plus, shoes can take as long as 40 years to decompose, and they can end up emitting concerning levels of carbon dioxide.
A lot of pressure is put on manufacturers to use green materials and implement ethical production practices, but consumers have a responsibility, too. We’re not saying every single pair of shoes you own has to be sustainable. The point is to be conscious of the products you buy and how they may ultimately impact the planet. The more consumers demand sustainable footwear, the more shoe companies will adjust to more sustainable practices.
The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion
Of course, shoes are only part of the problem. According to Greenpeace, if fast fashion keeps up at the current rate, it could result in substantial pollution over the next few decades. For instance, polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fabrics are produced using oil, a process resulting in carbon emissions.
These synthetic materials are used to make a whopping 60% of all clothing, which is double the amount in 2000. To paint a picture of why this matters, one polyester garment has a 12-pound carbon footprint, whereas a cotton garment has only about a 4-pound carbon footprint.
Unless sweeping changes are made inside and outside the fashion industry, the total carbon footprint of apparel could reach almost 4 trillion tons by 2050. This means that the fashion industry would account for 26% of the total carbon emissions it would take for the earth to warm two degrees (a deeply concerning metric).
How to Find Sustainable Shoes
If you’re interested in dipping your toes into the realm of sustainable fashion—and eco-friendly shoes in particular—you might be wondering where to start. To find a high-quality sustainable running shoe, a vegan shoe, an upcycled leather shoe, a renewable wedge, a fair trade sandal, or any other eco-friendly style, you should have an idea of what materials to look for. Aside from that, you can scope out a footwear brand’s mission statement and sustainability incentives. Vionic cares about our community, our loyal customers, the environment, and the future of the planet.
Eco-Friendly Sneakers from Vionic
Sneakers are a comfortable, versatile shoe style. They go with almost any casual outfit, and you can wear them year-round. Here at Vionic, we’re dedicated to creating the perfect sneaker, which means something different to everyone. Beyond comfort, arch support, and cushioning, what do you look for in a shoe? If you prioritize eco-friendly materials, you’ll love the Malibu and Pismo sneakers from our women’s collection.
Malibu Slip-On
Our Malibu Slip-On is a laid-back laceless tennis shoe for women. With extra-soft uppers made out of ethically produced and eco-conscious cotton, these sustainable sneakers are kind to the environment and easy on your feet. The Malibu is also a vegan-certified shoe, meaning no animals were used to produce it. We designed this effortlessly cool pair with flexible TPR outsoles and removable twill-covered EVA footbeds for optimal comfort and support.
Pismo Casual Sneaker
If you prefer a lace-up style, check out our Pismo Casual Sneaker. These women’s casual sneakers feature eco-conscious canvas uppers made from ethically produced cotton. Like the Malibu, this sneaker is also vegan. With stretchy cotton laces, flexible TPR outsoles, contrasting metal eyelets, and a removable EVA footbed, these sneakers don’t compromise on style or comfort.
The Time Is Now for Eco-Friendly Fashion
Eco-friendly fashion and sustainable innovation are taking the world by storm, and we’re here for it. At Vionic, we love our customers, and we love the planet we walk on. That’s why we incorporate ethically sourced and sustainable materials into our shoe styles. Whether our eco-friendly cotton sneakers are calling your name or you’re interested in cork or jute-wrapped wedge heels, we encourage you to try a pair (or maybe two).
Shop our women’s shoe collection today.
Sources:
1. “Sustainable”. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainability
2. “What is Sustainability?”. UCLA Sustainability. https://www.sustain.ucla.edu/what-is-sustainability/
3. “US consumers bought 7-5 pairs of shoes per capita per year”. APLF. http://www.aplf.com/en-us/leather-fashion-news-and-blog/news/22557/footwear-us-consumers-bought-7-5-pairs-of-shoes-per-capita-per-year
4. Holly Hummel. “Do Just One Thing: Give Old Shoes New Life (Aug 2018)”. Recycling Advocates. Aug 23, 2018. http://www.recyclingadvocates.org/do-just-one-thing-give-old-shoes-new-life-aug-2018/
5. Jasmine Chinasamy. “A monstrous disposable industry’: Fast facts about fast fashion”. Unearthed. Sept 12, 2019. https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2019/09/12/fast-facts-about-fast-fashion/