Recycled shoes are the latest trend in sustainable footwear. These shoes are made from recycled and sustainable materials, such as plastic bottles and circular skate shoes, which are already in existence. With the increasing demand for sustainable products, recycled shoe brands are creating on-point foot-styles that keep you in step, environmentally speaking.
But who are the brands that make shoes from recycled plastic? Sustainable Jungle independently researches and recommends all brands, while also asking them to confirm their claims. To avoid waste, products are tested on an as-needed basis. This article explores the world of recycled shoes and the benefits of using sustainable materials to create footwear.
Kicking It Off With Our Favorite Shoe Brands Made From Recycled Materials
1. Thousand Fell
Thousand Fell is a sustainable sneaker brand that creates shoes made from recycled materials. The brand has created the first zero waste, closed-loop recyclable, and recycled sneaker to combat the 97% of sneakers that currently end up in landfills. Their sustainable sneakers are vegan, stain-proof, water-resistant, and tested to last for 2.4 million steps. Thousand Fell’s innovative zero waste take-back system makes it one of the best recyclable shoe brands.
Thousand Fell’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials: The brand’s recycled plastic shoes are made from recycled bottles that create the leather-like uppers, as well as mesh liners and laces. The upper has a quartz coating to repel liquid, and the outsoles are made of recycled rubber. Midsoles and insoles partially feature materials like castor beans, coconut husk, sugar cane, and palm leaf fibers (from food waste).
Supply chain & labor practices: Thousand Fell’s recycled plastic shoes are made in a family-owned factory in Brazil using as many locally sourced materials as possible.
Carbon commitments & green practices: The company offsets its carbon and water usage, and orders come in an organic tote bag and FSC-certified shoe box.
Community & charitable giving: Any returns of their tennis shoes made from recycled plastic are refurbished and given to someone in need via their partnership with Sole4Soles. Thousand Fell is a member of 1% for the Planet.
2. Dooeys
Dooeys is a female-founded sustainable shoe brand that creates house shoes made from recycled materials. The brand uses all manner of recycled substances—from apple industry scraps to recycled foam—to create a do-it-all slip-on that can take the place of all kinds of other shoes.
Dooeys’ Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials: Dooeys’ recycled women’s shoes feature an upcycled apple scrap vegan leather upper, recycled rubber soles, recycled plastic bottle sherpa fleece lining, sugarcane midsoles, and a cork and recycled foam insole.
Supply chain & labor practices: Dooeys is committed to ethical production practices and works with factories in Portugal that meet high standards for labor and environmental practices.
Carbon commitments & green practices: Dooeys is committed to reducing their carbon footprint by using recycled and plant-based materials in their shoes, offering carbon-neutral shipping on every order, and minimizing production waste through small batch manufacturing.
Community & charitable giving: Dooeys is committed to giving back through organizations like The Ocean Cleanup, One Tree Planted, and Women for Women International, which supports women survivors of war.
3. Grounded People
Grounded People is a sustainable sneaker brand that creates low and high-top sneakers made from 100% recycled materials. Their sneakers are designed to fit anyone and everyone, thanks to versatile, unisex styles.
Grounded People’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials: Grounded People uses only recycled materials in the production of their shoes. They use recycled cotton for the upper part of the shoe, natural rubber for the sole, recycled metal eyelets, and recycled car tires for the outsole.
Supply chain & labor practices: They work with a small team of artisans who handcraft each 100% recycled shoe across South America. Their shoes are specially made in Brazil, in the world’s first 100% vegan factory. The brand ensures that their suppliers and partners adhere to ethical labor practices and that workers are paid fair wages.
Community & charitable giving: When checking out, customers get to pick their laces, each color of which sees a portion of their purchase donated to a specific organization, thanks to the L.A.C.E.S program. They’re also committed to supporting local communities by sourcing materials and labor locally whenever possible.
4. Vivaia
Vivaia is a sustainable shoe brand that creates shoes made from recycled plastic bottles. The brand’s shoes are stylish and comfortable, perfect for everyday wear.
Vivaia’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials: Vivaia’s shoes are made from recycled plastic bottles.
Supply chain & labor practices: The brand works with a factory in China that is committed to sustainable practices and ethical labor standards.
Carbon commitments & green practices: The brand is committed to reducing their carbon footprint and uses eco-friendly packaging materials.
Community & charitable giving: The brand partners with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every pair of shoes sold.
5. SAOLA
SAOLA is a sustainable shoe brand that creates shoes made from recycled materials. The brand’s shoes are stylish and comfortable, perfect for outdoor activities.
SAOLA’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials: SAOLA’s shoes
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How We Found The Best Recycled Shoes
In the search for sustainable and eco-friendly footwear, recycled shoes have emerged as a popular option. These shoes are made from recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, tires, and organic cotton, and are designed to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. To find the best recycled shoes, a number of criteria were considered, including materials, certifications, supply chain and labor practices, carbon commitments and green practices, and community and charitable giving.
When it comes to materials, recycled shoes made from plastic bottles and tires are particularly popular. These materials are often used to replace the EVA foam that makes shoes cushioned, and can help divert sustainable materials from landfills. However, it can be challenging to find sustainable materials that meet the performance requirements of footwear. For this reason, recycled shoes made from other materials, such as algae foam, cork, and natural rubber, were also considered.
Certifications are an important factor in determining the sustainability of a shoe. The Global Recycled Standard (GRS), bluesign®, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), ZQ Merino, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Leather Working Group (LWG), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) are all certifications that were taken into account when evaluating recycled shoes.
Supply chain and labor practices are also key considerations when evaluating the sustainability of a shoe. Brands that prioritize fair labor practices and independent audits by third-party organizations, such as B Corporation, Fair Labor Association (FLA), Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and fair trade, were given higher priority.
Carbon commitments and green practices are another important factor in determining the sustainability of a shoe. Recycled shoes that are durable, washable, and can cover a lot of ground before needing to be recycled again were given priority. Additionally, brands that offer repair and recycling services, support carbon offset programs, and use renewable energy were given higher priority.
Finally, community and charitable giving were taken into account when evaluating the sustainability of a shoe. Brands that support community events and donate products or proceeds were given higher priority.
Overall, the search for the best recycled shoes was a comprehensive process that took into account a range of sustainability criteria. By prioritizing recycled materials, certifications, supply chain and labor practices, carbon commitments and green practices, and community and charitable giving, the best recycled shoes were identified as those that prioritize sustainability and minimize environmental impact.
Final Thoughts on Sustainable Shoe Brands
The footwear industry’s environmental impact is staggering, with over 22 billion pairs of shoes ending up in landfills each year. However, sustainable shoe brands that use recycled materials like ocean plastic, plastic bottles, tires, and old shoes are making a significant contribution to reducing this footprint.
It’s crucial to remember that buying recycled shoes only makes a difference if we actually need them and don’t dispose of them after a single use. Brands that offer circular recycling services are also playing a part, but it’s up to individuals to recycle their worn-out shoes as well.
Sharing this list of sustainable shoe brands with friends and family is an excellent way to encourage others to support the planet. By choosing to buy from these brands, individuals can make a positive impact on the environment while still enjoying stylish and comfortable footwear.
