In many ways, it’s easier to shop for sustainable clothing than shoes. You can buy vintage clothing, but shoes like sneakers usually won’t be in good shape in a vintage shop. Sustainable clothing collections have been trending in recent years, but sustainable sneakers are a little harder to come by. Particularly when it comes to athletic shoes, which are often made with plastic, foam molds, and chemicals, it is definitely a challenge to be sustainable. Fortunately, there are sneaker companies out there dedicated to creating performance athletic shoes without creating a huge negative impact on the environment. Here are some easy tips for shopping sustainably for your shoes.
1. Research the Brand
When you’re checking out a new pair of kicks online, do some research to find out about the brand and their practices. If they are sustainable, they should say as much in their “About” section and should provide information about their ethical practices and materials. If you’re shopping in-store, you can quickly use an app like Good on You, which gives companies a rating from “We Avoid” to “Great” depending on their practices toward sustainability.
2. Check the Certifications
A lot of companies unfortunately try to greenwash their marketing, perhaps loosely stating that they care about the environment. However, this is an empty sentence if they don’t have support to back up their claim. Check for certifications from organizations like OEKO-TEX, the Global Organic Textile Standard, and the Global Recycled Standard.
3. Read the Tag
If you don’t see any certifications, take a peek at the tag on the shoes. Materials like Lyocell (also called Tencel), organic cotton, wool felt, recycled water bottles, hemp, jute, cork, and natural rubber are all eco-friendly and sustainable. Red flags include synthetic rubber, plastics and even leather. The raising of livestock has a large carbon footprint, so where possible, choose vegan sneakers rather than real leather ones. You can also check where the shoes are made -- places like the E.U., Canada, and the U.S. have the most environmental regulations worldwide, so they generally have safer and more sustainable practices.
4. Shop Locally
One way to lower your carbon footprint is to shop locally for goods so that you don’t waste the energy and materials used in packing and shipping. Plus, it’s great to support local small businesses rather than giant corporations like Amazon. If you do need to ship your shoes from elsewhere, plan ahead and opt for the slowest method possible, rather than the next day (or same day) delivery option.
5. Wear Your Shoes 50+ Times
With every purchase, make a promise to wear that item at least 50 times. If you’re not ready for that type of commitment, then you’re not ready for the shoes. Fast fashion, in which people buy cheap clothing and wear them only a few times, is terrible for the environment. Instead, buy more expensive, ethically made clothes and shoes that can last a long time. Trust us, you’ll appreciate them more and so will the planet!