Most Eco-Friendly Materials For Shoes And Practices

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in ecological materials for shoes. There is more research and the aim is to reduce the environmental footprint left by the manufacture and distribution of footwear. Do you know what they are? We talk about the most used ones in this article.

Why use ecological shoes?

Thanks to technology, materials for fair trade shoes and clothing have been discovered that are environmentally and animal friendly. More and more people are becoming aware of the respect the planet deserves and the need to take care of it.

Ecological footwear is manufactured with the aim of minimizing the impact on the environment. For this purpose, biodegradable materials are used, thus preventing them from becoming a source of pollution.

But it is not only the materials used that are taken care of. For a shoe to fall into this category, there are other aspects that are taken into account:

The use of low polluting production processes.

The point of sale is close to the place of manufacture, thus reducing the emissions produced by transport.

Sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging is also used.

It is also worth mentioning that this type of footwear is animal-friendly; that is to say, it does not use any material of animal origin, so they are also vegan shoes.

Eco-friendly materials for shoes

There are various materials that are used to manufacture clothes, shoes and accessories. Among these we can mention:

Organic cotton

Cotton is one of the most commonly used textiles in clothing and shoes, especially for the warmer months and children's clothing. Although it comes from a vegetable crop, this does not mean that it is always environmentally friendly.

On the contrary, it can have a great environmental impact due to the amount of water required for its cultivation and chemical pollution.

To be considered organic, it must be organic production, i.e. the whole process must be natural. No modified seeds, pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers are used during cultivation. Consequently, it is safe for the environment, workers, and end consumers.

Organic cotton shoes are the ideal footwear for traveling due to their comfort.

Organic hemp

Hemp is another plant-based fabric obtained from cannabis plants. It is a cool, absorbent, and durable material that has been used for years. The plant is hardy and grows fast, but also make sure it is organically produced.

Piñatex

Also known as vegetable leather, this is an alternative to natural leather. It is made from cellulose fibers obtained from pineapple leaves, polylactic acid, and petroleum resin.

Cork

Cork is a natural material obtained from the bark of the cork oak tree. It is renewable and recyclable. In addition, it is biodegradable, so at the end of its life cycle, it does not take long to decompose.

To obtain it, it is not necessary to cut it down, because only the bark of the tree is needed and it regenerates itself.

In addition to these, linen, plastic and recycled fabrics are also considered ecological materials for shoes. Have you tried shoes made from any of these materials? Tell us about your experience.