Eco-friendly hiking shoes?
Athletic shoes can last in landfills for thousands of years, thanks to use of plastic and non-biodegradable materials.
Sustainably made shoes are hard to find
My shoes have holes. On Earth Day I started a challenge- find a new pair of shoes that are somehow sustainable, eco-friendly, not made with planet-killing materials. Turns out, that’s eaiser said than done.
Many companies brag about sustainability but when you read the fine print, there’s a lot of greenwashing. Many synthetic materials used in footwear are considered plastic, which means that those shoes I’m throwing out will remain in landfills beyond my lifetime. And shoes called “vegan” do not use leather, but may use plastics. Yikes!
Sustainability ratings
So, what are your favorite brands actually doing to reduce emissions, water, waste, toxics, plastic, packaging, pay good wages and treat animals well? To help you sift through the greenwashing, an Australian group has created a directory, Good On You , which sorts through three main criteria: if business practices are good on people, the planet and animals.
Examples: Saucony gets a “not good enough” rating for using some eco-friendly materials but Good On You could find no evidence it reduces its greenhouse gas emissions or eliminates hazardous chemicals. In contrast, North Face earned a “great” rating- some supply chain is certified by Blue Sign, recycled materials are used and it has set science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Very few outdoor shoe brands sold at REI track their impact on the planet. But some do, and have challenged other brands to step up their game. Contrast Icebug with other big brands, such as Merrell. Icebug shows the CO2 footprint of each model and the proportion of bio-based and recycled material. You can also note which factories the shoes and materials are made. Icebug is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, which tracks fair working conditions in overseas factories.
Check how your shoes are made
Since Good on You can’t possibly review all our favorite brands and since company sustainability practices are evolving, I figure the best thing is to read the fine print.
Does the brand allow you to filter your search online for shoes made with recyclables and good stuff?
Does the company have tangible goals for sustainably?
What are they doing to not use plastic or recyclables, beyond recyclable shoelaces? For example, Keen is sharing its PFC free journey and has successfully rid its products of forever chemicals.
If you shop at REI, ask them to do a better job in noting sustainability efforts of the products they sell.
Hopefully, other brands will step up their game when it comes to protecting our planet. They will for sure if we start demanding they do so.
Take action
Go online
Check your favorite brand to see your shoes are made and if they recycle your old shoes. Email them for answers.
Donate gently used shoes
Shoes just a little worn out? Donate through Soles4souls