Looking for a new pair of sandals that won’t harm the planet? Look no further than Sustainable Jungle’s latest recommendations. With a focus on eco-friendly footwear, the team has researched and tested a variety of sustainable sandals to bring you the best options available.
From flip-flops to strap-back styles, Sustainable Jungle has got you covered. And with a commitment to independent research and brand verification, you can trust that their recommendations are truly guilt-free. So step into the world of sustainable sandals and find your next planet-hugging pair of kicks.
The Top Sustainable Sandals That Walk The Talk
Looking for sustainable sandals that are both eco-friendly and stylish? Look no further than these top sustainable sandal brands that prioritize ethical production practices and long-lasting footwear.
1. Nisolo
Nisolo is a brand that specializes in ethical shoes and other consciously made leather accessories. Their shoe range includes flats, sandals, mules, sneakers, heels, boots, and eco-friendly sandals for both women and men. Nisolo’s sustainable sandals come in various styles, including slides, platform sandals, block heeled styles, and the Huarache Sandal. Styled after the ultra classic Mexican fisherman sandals, they’re available in a collection of earthy colors like Desert Rose. Nisolo’s sandals are pure leather, so they do require a bit of breaking in to stretch the uppers into that soft, flexible leather feel your feet will love. Nisolo is a Certified B Corp, which measures a company’s social and environmental performance. They offset their emissions with Ecosphere+ and have a Shoe Reclamation Program that ensures your sandals are fully recyclable.
2. NAE
NAE stands for “No Animal Exploitation”. This Portuguese 100% vegan sandal and footwear company is PETA-approved and beach-ready. NAE’s sustainable sandals include open-toe cork wedges, pumps, Birkenstock alternatives, high-heeled strappy sandals, and casual slides. All shoes have a recycled car tire outsole, cork, and natural latex slip soles. NAE makes all products using a carbon-neutral manufacturing process that limits chemical use and water consumption. They produce everything locally in Portugal, so their factories uphold Europe’s strict ethical standards.
3. Bhava
Bhava is a vegan shoe brand that makes some of the best sustainable sandals. The vegan store has a wide variety of heeled sandals, flip-flops, heeled sandals, and strappy pairs—all made from vegan leather and natural materials. Bhava’s sustainable sandals are made from eco-friendly materials, like wood heels, cork fabric insoles, natural dyes, and organic cotton linings. Their primary materials are Italian-made vegan leather containing no aromatic amines, PCP, formaldehyde, PVC, phthalates, azo dyes, or chrome. Artisans in Alicante, Spain, make Bhava’s eco sandals.
4. VIVAIA
VIVAIA offers a wide variety of sustainable sandals that are both stylish and eco-friendly. Their sandals are made from recycled plastic bottles, making them a great choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. VIVAIA’s sustainable sandals are available in various styles, including slides, platform sandals, and strappy sandals. Their sandals are also incredibly comfortable, thanks to their arch support and cushioned footbeds.
5. VEERAH
VEERAH takes a step on the wild side with sustainable women’s sandals that will have you feeling animalistically fierce—without the animal-based materials. VEERAH’s sustainable sandals are made from eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester and apple peel skin, making them a great choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. Their sandals are also incredibly comfortable, thanks to their arch support and cushioned footbeds.
6. VOLAIR
VOLAIR’s sustainable sandals are made from eco-friendly materials like recycled rubber and cork. Their sandals are available in various styles, including slides and strappy sandals. VOLAIR’s sustainable sandals are also incredibly comfortable, thanks to their arch support and cushioned footbeds.
7. Matisse
Matisse provides fashion-forward sandals without compromising any of their values or ethical production standards. Their sustainable sandals are made from eco-friendly materials like recycled rubber and cork. Matisse’s sustainable sandals are available in various styles, including slides and strappy sandals.
8. Chaco
Chaco’s sustainable sandals are made from eco-friendly materials like recycled rubber and cork. Their sandals are available in various styles, including slides and strappy sandals. Chaco’s sustainable sandals are also incredibly comfortable, thanks to their arch support and cushioned footbeds.
9. Proud Mary Footwear (Catrinka)
Proud Mary Footwear (Catrinka) offers a wide variety of sustainable sandals that are both stylish and eco-friendly. Their sandals are made from eco-friendly materials like recycled plastic bottles and organic cotton. Proud Mary Footwear (Catrinka)’s sustainable sandals are available in various styles, including slides and strappy sandals.
10. Rawganique
Rawganique’s sustainable sandals are made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton and hemp. Their sandals are available in various styles, including slides and strappy sandals. Rawganique’s sustainable sandals are also incredibly comfortable, thanks to their arch support and cushioned footbeds.
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How We Found The Most Ethical Sandals
To find the most ethical sandals, the team at [Company Name] used a set of sustainable fashion criteria to assess each brand. The criteria included materials, certifications, supply chain and labor practices, carbon commitments and green practices, and community and charitable giving.
Materials
While compostable fabrics are usually preferred, recycled materials were found to be essential for most sustainable sandals. Sandals made from recycled materials reduce reliance on virgin materials and divert them from landfills. For example, recycled tires can be used to make outsoles for sandals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing toxins from being released into the air. Natural rubber is also a sustainable material that is biodegradable and can be extracted from trees without harm.
Other sustainable fibers used in these sandals include recycled polyester, cork fabric, hemp, vegan bio-based leather, Pinatex, and EVA.
Certifications
Certifications such as Leather Working Group (LWG), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and US Department Of Agriculture Biopreferred (USDA Biobased) were considered when assessing the brands. Third-party certifications like B-Corp Fair Trade and International Labor Organization (ILO) were also preferred as they confirm that the brands are not greenwashing their products.
Supply Chain & Labor Practices
All workers involved in sourcing and manufacturing were expected to be paid living wages and treated fairly. Brands that hold third-party certifications like B Corporation (B Corp) and Fair Trade were preferred. This ensures that the brands are committed to fair labor practices and sustainable sourcing.
Carbon Commitments & Green Practices
Brands that reduce their operational impact by utilizing renewable energy, purchasing carbon offsets, repurposing old items, providing resell programs, and using recycled or biodegradable packaging were preferred. This ensures that the brands are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.
Community & Charitable Giving
Brands that give back and involve themselves in the world at large were preferred. Many of the footwear companies manufacture via small artisan co-ops, which gives the artists a level of freedom, independence, and integrity while bolstering developing communities.
Let’s Talk About Sustainable Leather Sandals
When it comes to ethical fashion, leather is often a controversial topic due to the harmful chemicals involved in the tanning process and the ethical concerns surrounding sourcing it. However, there are some ethical companies that use leather in a sustainable way. In this section, we will explore some of the most sustainable forms of leather and how it can be used to create eco-friendly sandals.
Sustainable Leather Options
There are several sustainable forms of leather that can be used to create eco-friendly sandals. Here are some of the most sustainable options, ranked in order of sustainability:
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Upcycled/repurposed leather: This type of leather uses materials that already exist, repurposing them and preventing them from ending up in landfills.
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Sun-tanned leather: This leather is tanned using only natural sunlight, without the use of any harmful chemicals.
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Vegetable-tanned leather: This type of leather goes through the tanning process without the use of harmful chemicals.
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Chrome-free leather: While still less sustainable than the previous options, this leather uses fewer toxic tanning chemicals.
In addition to considering the type of leather used, it is also important to consider how the leather was sourced. Upcycled leather is the most sustainable option as it uses existing materials, while wild-caught leather uses animals that are typically indigenous or rural and are used to feed the community, leaving no part of the animal wasted. Leather as a by-product of the meat industry is also a viable option, but it is less ideal due to the ethical concerns surrounding the meat industry.
Final Thoughts On Eco-Friendly Sandals
When it comes to eco-friendly sandals, there are several sustainable materials that can be used, including cork, natural rubber, recycled materials, organic cotton, jute, hemp, and vegan leathers. It is also important to consider the use of recycled components, such as recycled plastic bottles and recycled rubber.
When shopping for eco-friendly sandals, it is important to look for brands that use sustainable materials and have transparent sourcing policies. It is also important to consider the use of gold-certified tanneries, which have been verified as using sustainable practices.
In conclusion, while leather sandals may not be the most sustainable option, there are ethical companies that use leather in a sustainable way. When shopping for eco-friendly sandals, it is important to consider the type of leather used, as well as the materials and sourcing policies of the brand. By making conscious choices, we can all help make our planet a little bluer this summer.
