An eco-friendly shoe is any shoe that is made from an environmentally conscious material and has an eco-friendly manufacturing process. Eco-friendly men’s shoes can be made from either a variety of environmentally sound materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, and recycled plastics, or they can use non-recycled materials such as synthetics. Use sustainable shoe soles made from recycled rubber, recycled leather, or cork. To save even more, have the soles removed from your shoes before discarding them.
Thus, below are 5 mistakes to avoid when buying Eco-Friendly shoes.
- Buying Shoes That Are Not Biodegradable: The biggest mistake most people make when purchasing shoes is spending too much money on shoes that are not biodegradable. It is common for people to throw away their old, worn-out shoes and replace them with a new pair without thinking through the consequences. It is in the best interest to buy shoes that are made from sustainable materials and that are biodegradable or at least recyclable.
- Selecting Shoes That Emit Carbon Dioxide: While it is true that organic shoes may be more eco-friendly than synthetic shoes, synthetic shoes are often made from materials that are harmful to the environment. Synthetic shoes can contain synthetic materials such as PVC or PE, which are known to be harmful to the environment and human health. The most important thing to consider when shopping for shoes is the carbon footprint of the shoes.
- Avoid Unethical Supply Chains: Applying the Ethical Consumer label to footwear can be helpful, but it is not enough to avoid all negative impacts from a supplier. To avoid this, look for supply chain transparency, audit suppliers, and demand that they comply with labor laws. Many companies distort the truth about how they deal with their suppliers, which is always a bad sign. For example, it is not always possible to check every single eco-friendly product before buying it. Moreover, it is more effective to check for an eco-friendly label on the package.
- Failing to Use Recycled Materials: The biggest mistake most people make when purchasing footwear, especially by not choosing Eco-friendly running shoes for men, is failing to use recycled material. Instead, they are choosing to wear shoes that contain non-recycled materials. A growing number of companies realize that they can reduce their environmental impact and help the environment by making their packaging more ecologically friendly. Unfortunately, not all companies are heading in this direction.
- Purchase Uncertified Shoes: Non-certified shoes are often made from synthetic materials, which are known to be harmful to the environment. Many people are choosing to wear these shoes because they are comfortable, but they are also choosing to wear them because they are not certified. The biggest problem with buying shoes that are not certified is that you run the risk of buying something that is not good for you. Shoes that have been cut out of a factory that is not certified can be harmful to your health.
The demand for lower-quality, disposable footwear that will rapidly degrade necessitates the use of non-degradable materials and excessive amounts of energy needed to make production possible globally. These unsustainable practices contribute to many environmental problems, including a range of ecological crises and the gradual extinction of plant and animal species. Furthermore, the production of footwear can cause several significant health problems.