Step Into Sustainable Footwear: The Rise of Recycled Shoes

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If you are on a journey of choosing more sustainable options, (as we all should be), this article is for you. Here are recycled shoes made from recycled materials that won’t end up in the landfill.

Shoes are necessary in today’s society. Even since the beginning of time, humans felt the need to protect their feet from the elements. But shoes don’t have to end up in the landfill. And unfortunately, in today’s world, that’s just the reality.

When you buy shoes from a brand like Thousand Fell, you are choosing materials that cannot only be recycled but have already been recycled. They are actually working with companies that recycle single-use plastic bottles to create parts of their shoes.

For example, they are using recycled plastics to create their bio-leather, mesh liners, and laces. They are also using palm leaf fibers from food waste that can replace the plastic parts of a conventional shoe.

Sugar cane, coconut husk, and castor beans are also being used to replace the raw materials in today’s new shoes. These natural materials make it easy for the shoe to break down and decompose.Their use of natural rubber gives their recycled shoes a quality and durable finish, allowing them to last.

All of Thousand Fell shoes are made in a family-owned factory in Brazil.

Thousand Fell’s system is totally circular. From their recycled materials to their sustainable design to their recycling program. They are reducing their carbon footprint by taking back your used shoes. Not just any old shoes, your used shoes purchased from them.

They will either donate the shoes (giving them a second life), depending on the condition or they will throw the old materials back into their manufacturing process, reusing them. This circular economy keeps shoes out of the landfill and reduces the need for raw materials.

By choosing these materials, Thousand Fell’s is lowering their use of energy, water and carbon emissions. As I mentioned, their thoughtful designs make it easy to reuse and recycle the materials after they’ve been worn. Their sustainable practices are making a positive impact on not only the environment but on the footwear industry.

Other Sustainable Shoe Brands

Nothing New is another brand of sustainable shoes. Their recycled shoes are made from eco-friendly materials, 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Each pair of shoes are approximately 5.6 plastic water bottles.

That said, they are not entirely plastic shoes, these sustainable sneakers are also made up of natural rubber and cork for durability as well as recycled cotton and other eco fabrics.

Nothing New also has a recycling program called Virtuous Circle Program. If you ship back your old sneakers, they will give you a $20 credit toward your next purchase.

If you are looking for a shoe that doesn’t classify as a pair of sneakers, Rothy’s is the place to look. Dress shoes, flats, heels, and clogs, boots, loafers, the list goes on. All of which have a unique and sustainable design that uses marine plastic recovered from the ocean. Rothy’s also uses other materials including natural fibers like merino wool and hemp.

This sustainable footwear brand has created shoes that not only reduce plastic waste, but also provide comfort and style to any outfit. One thing that I love about these is that they are machine washable. This gives your shoes a chance to last a long time.

Rothy’s operates socially responsible factories. For one, they operate off renewable energy from solar panels directly reducing their need for fossil fuels. But they also keep a tight knit community and every employee is paid fair wages. They even have the Fair Trade Certification to prove it.

You can also receive a $20 credit if you drop your old Rothy’s off in-store.

Vivobarefoot is a company that believes in bringing people closer to nature. Not only by protecting nature from unnecessary abuse and waste, but through grounding.

Designed to be wide, thin, and flexible, these shoes promote your foot’s natural shape. It helps with strength and movement, allowing you to feel the ground beneath your feet.

With a circular supply chain in mind, all their materials can either be recycled or composted. They are on a mission to move away from virgin materials as much as possible.

As proof of their sustainability efforts, Vivo offers repairs in the US, EU, and UK for many of their styles.

Additionally, “ReVivo is the world’s first e-commerce marketplace for refurbished and repaired barefoot shoes”. Props to them.

Next time you are in the market, consider recycled shoes (or shoes you can recycle). Say goodbye to fast fashion and the unsustainable fashion industry with these incredible companies.