Industry giant, Adidas, partnered with the environmental group Parley for the Ocean in 2017. As sneaker fans know, they wanted to bring their EQT sneakers back on the market. Moreover, they wanted to make sustainable sneakers by recycling plastic waste collected on beaches in the Maldives. A pair of recycled sneakers come with minimal packaging. Also, the emissions from each shipment get offset.
The reality is that creating sustainable sneakers is big business and growing. The more people understand there’s no way out of the climate box, but with behavioral change, the more investment dollars are going to go into meeting the demand. Big brands, such as Adidas and Nike, lead the pack. But consumers also have plenty of upstart brands to choose from for sustainability.
For instance, one of the leaders in the market of sustainable sneakers brands is Veja. It had one of the biggest hits of the recent season. And of course, luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney drives the trend for chunky sustainable sneakers by going vegan. So, let’s take a look at some other brands you might want to consider for everyday and athletic shoes.
Eco-Friendly Thousand Fells
With the brand Thousand Fell, you’ll find many sneakers made of recycled materials. The brand commits to use eco-friendly materials in every element of its sneakers. For example, they use recycled nylon and polyester. But, they also natural materials such as harvested natural rubber. Moreover, they source natural rubber from net-zero emission suppliers.
The brand’s minimalist white sneakers offer great support for your runs and hard workouts. For their sneakers, the sole consists of recycled rubber and plastic. Also, they include mesh lining, castor oil-based foam shoe pads, coconut shells, sugarcane, palm leaf fibers, and various other elements. And what’s better than 100% made from sustainable materials?
Salt+Umber Sustainable Sneakers
For another brand, you could check out Salt+Umber. The brand uses a small, sustainable manufacturing process and recycles materials whenever possible. In manufacturing, the sneakers get made from organic materials. They also use recycled rubber in an environmentally friendly process. You could read more about their sustainability efforts here and have a look at their global efforts.
If you think it’s tough finding sustainable sneakers, we’re here to say it’s not! As you could see in this article, great and stylish sustainable sneakers exist on the market. But still, you may wonder, what else is there? Well, let’s continue exploring the sustainable sneaker marketplace.
Everlane and Allbirds Apparel for Ethical Consumers
Everlane is one of the most popular sustainable apparel brands. And it has a wide selection of sustainable shoes and sneakers. The company also offers apparel, and its ethos is “Ethical Factories. Radical Transparency. Another great find is Allbirds, a San Francisco-based brand that makes comfortable and eco-friendly sneakers.
Perfect for a casual day at the office or running errands, sneakers have become our everyday shoes. Rain, snow, or shine, a versatile pair of sneakers is a wardrobe favorite. Buying a pair gives is not just for running or doing sports anymore! It seems there’s always a trend to replace sneakers with cool new ones. (Find out 5 ways to recycle old sneakers).
Veja Sustainable Sneakers
At Veja, the choice of sneakers is stylish enough to be worn with a wide range of outfits—not just running gear. In our opinion, Veja sneakers compete visually with other leading sneaker brands. Above all, they’re minimalist in design, making them great for a bit of sport and transition to a social event.
Veja’s one of the best-known sustainable sneaker brands in the world. Currently, shoe brands like Veja create a good combination of simple, stylish sneakers. Their target market is Millennials and Gen Z, who care most about sustainability and eco-conscious products. However, as we know, most—no matter the generation—understand we all have to do our part.
PrimeGreen from Adidas and Stan Smith
Adidas and Stan Smith launched new models through the brand PrimeGreen. Adidas uses materials such as recycled polyester, plastic bottles, recycled nylon, and cotton to achieve carbon and waste-free. In manufacturing, they use recycled and animal-free materials as an example. Also, the shoes get made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles. And they feature heel support inserts and rubber soles for ultimate comfort.
Consumer Awareness in Sustainable Fashion
Given the demand for sneakers in recent years and the massive waste of material that goes with it, many seek sustainable ways to support ethical brands. Growing consumer awareness for the versatility of sneakers created the current boom in the industry, estimated at $55 billion annually. As consumers learn about what they buy and its impact, many brands meet the demand for ethical and sustainable products.
The sneaker industry is big business, and it’s only getting bigger. More than 2.3 billion pairs of sneakers get produced each year. In short, the demand for shoes is greater than ever in the industry itself.
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