Where to Find the Best Sustainable Shoe Brands Online

Posted at 11:00 • 28th Dec • Bernardo Carreira• Hemp

Every brand is different not only in concept but also in their approach to sustainability. Here at 8000Kicks we picked hemp as the way to go, but other companies use different materials and strategies.

The fight against climate change has been a constant battle for decades. Part of the problem is the increasing amount of waste that is produced every year. Mass consumerism has become a cause for concern and increased pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, textiles make up 11.3 million tons of all MSW landfills. Rugile Paleviciute states that sneaker production alone causes 1.4% of all greenhouse gas emissions. These numbers are predicted to continue to increase in the next coming years. Therefore, it is essential to move towards being more sustainable.

There are different factors that go into considering whether or not something is sustainable. Resourcing, manufacturing, and packaging can be things to think about when classifying a product as sustainable.

Does the product use non-renewable materials? Does sourcing its material harm our ecosystem? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then the product is not sustainable. This is usually because their methods for sourcing and getting materials cannot be used in the long run.

Like resourcing, if the process involved in manufacturing a product negatively affects the environment, then it cannot be considered sustainable. Many companies have a production process that often promotes pollution and relies on fossil fuels. These fuels are normally associated with greenhouse gasses, which is a big reason for climate change. There are other forms of production that can be done and also be considered sustainable.

Some people consider packaging when they are contemplating the sustainability of a product. But packaging can be a big cause of pollution as well. Plastic and other non-biodegradable packaging are quite common and should be considered when labelling a product as sustainable.

Sustainability is a growing concern and consumers are becoming more and more educated. This is forcing brands to turn to more environmentally friendly practices. The market for sustainable products continues to grow and it is important to buy products that are not greenwashing but actually making it a goal to become more sustainable.

If you are confused about where to find sustainable shoes, you can do more research into brands and whether their initiatives align with your values. Brands like 8000Kicks have shoes that are sourced and produced responsibly. They create products that are not only sustainable but are comfortable and durable. These are both positive characteristics that you would want when purchasing footwear.

Another thing you can do is to have a look around secondhand marketplaces. The shoes you purchase from there may not be sustainable but buying secondhand will still help in lessening waste and pollution. You can search online markets or check out online communities. Online sneaker communities are a great place to source secondhand shoes because these communities are made up of people who love shoes. Thriving sneaker community SoleSavy is a wonderful place to talk to other shoe enthusiasts about sustainable brands you can buy, secondhand shoes, and how to care for your footwear. Sneaker communities are also great places to turn to when you want to buy sustainable but have no idea where to start looking not to mention learn about the most sustainable brands out there.

The shoe industry is growing at a crazy pace and will most likely continue to do so in the coming years. However, it is important that as a consumer, you are smart with your purchases and supporting brands that promote green initiatives in a fantastic place to start. In turn, this will encourage more and more people to create and buy sustainably which can also help the fight against climate change.