In modern times, sustainability or environment friendliness is an important facet of all our lives. It implies that all of us work with a focus on a greener future, which is ideal for protecting the planet and all who call it home.
One area for sustainability is as a consumer of environment-friendly shoes. Such footwear helps to reduce the carbon footprint as a manufacturer as well as a consumer. Sustainable shoes help reduce the impact on the environment and still permit you to enjoy fashionable and comfortable footwear like eco-friendly shoes women’s.
What are Environmentally-Friendly Shoes?
Several footwear brands claim to make sustainable shoes, but the term can be tough to define. Typically, sustainable (environment-friendly) shoes are made with fewer materials and ones that can be recycled or reused.
While searching for sustainable footwear, it is vital to note the materials used in the construction of shoes. Examples of sustainable materials include organic cotton, bamboo, cork and natural rubber.
Shoes made of materials like old shoes, recycled bottles of plastic or tires are regarded as sustainable since they do not need the production of new raw materials.
Eco-friendly footwear also minimises negative impact on the environment during maintenance, manufacturing and design life cycles.
Such kinds of footwear are becoming more popular even as consumers become more conscious of the environment. There are several types of sustainable shoes in the market today in terms of style, design and material.
How to be Eco-Friendly?
There exist several ways for shoe brands to become eco-friendly or sustainable. One of the ways is to use recycled material in their manufacture.
Some brands make use of biodegradable materials that break down naturally over time. Some others focus on making shoes which are easy to reuse and recycle.
There are even many companies which provide the service of repair of shoes, which helps reduce wastage.
One other mode to ensure eco-friendliness is responsible manufacturing. This helps ensure that the making process of shoes does not cause damage to the environment.
For instance, certain brands make use of glues that are water-based rather than containing toxic materials. They also ensure that factories do comply with environmental laws & regulations and make use of sustainable sources of energy.
Eco-friendly shoes are not just good for the planet but also for the health of customers. Several eco-friendly shoes are designed to be supportive and comfortable. This helps prevent foot issues like corn and blisters. Also, they are made of breathable materials, which keep feet dry and cool. These include eco-friendly shoe brands for women’s.
Environmental Impact
The footwear industry is responsible for much of carbon emissions today, which leads to global warming and climate change. For instance, the use of leather needs high amounts of water and energy for production and causes pollution by tanning chemicals.
As per an MIT study, there was an important finding that the manufacture of a typical pair of shoes generates almost 30% of CO2 emissions, which equals the burning of a 100-watt light bulb for a period of 7 days.
Future of Sustainable Shoes
Knowing the adverse impact of standard footwear on the environment, consumers are today opting for sustainable shoes. As such, the future for eco-friendly shoes is bright. There are several options for eco-friendly shoes out there, and the footwear industry is growing so rapidly that new brands of sustainable shoes are popping up every day.
Note that there are various ways to manufacture eco-friendly shoes. It is not only about finding the right brand but also introspecting on your values with regard to protecting the planet and what compromise you are willing to make in your daily life.
The figures are telling. The global market for eco-friendly, sustainable shoes are expected to grow at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of over 6%, during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030.
Conclusion
In sum, eco-friendly or sustainable shoes are footwear products which are made using environmentally friendly materials as well as manufacturing processes. Materials for making such shoes include natural rubber, recycled polyester, hemp and organic cotton. Such materials are sourced or grown using sustainable practices and are recyclable or biodegradable when their life cycle is over.