Sustainability In Footwear: Stepping Towards A Greener Future

Hey there, fellow footwear enthusiasts! Erin Bornstein here, and I've got to tell you, I've been in the shoe game for years now. Let me paint you a picture of what it's like when I go shoe shopping. It's a bit of a rollercoaster, to say the least.

Picture this: I walk into a footwear store, and BAM! I'm hit with a tsunami of shoes. Sneakers, boots, sandals, you name it, they've got it. And not just one of each. We're talking 20 different types of sneakers alone! My brain starts to short-circuit. "Do we really need all these options?" I wonder, feeling a bit dizzy. "Who's buying all these shoes? How many pairs does one person actually need?"

The same thing happens in department stores. It's like shoe overload on steroids. My internal monologue goes into overdrive: "So. Many. Shoes. Who's buying all this stuff? Where do I even begin? How am I supposed to make a decision?" I start to feel woozy, contemplating the sheer excess surrounding me. At least if I faint, I'll have a soft landing on all those unsold shoes, right?

I exaggerate, of course, but I hope you see my point. We have a massive waste problem in the footwear industry, one that is fueled by excessive production. We can chalk up a lot of this excess to make-to-stock production: the practice of producing and storing products in advance based on anticipated customer demand. While this mode of production in and of itself is not necessarily bad, its current utilization is creating way more shoes than we know what to do with.

Fortunately for us, and our planet, there are alternatives that could help us address this massive footwear waste problem. Sustainability in the shoe industry is becoming increasingly important, with many companies taking steps to reduce their environmental impact.

For shoe companies, sustainability encompasses various aspects:

• Use of Sustainable Materials: Many brands are incorporating eco-friendly and natural materials into their shoes. This includes recycled plastics, organic cotton, hemp, and natural rubber.
• Ethical Manufacturing: Supporting fair wages, safe working conditions, and minimizing environmental impact during production.
• Waste Reduction: Implementing zero-waste initiatives and circular economy principles.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction: Using renewable energy sources and optimizing transportation routes.
• End-of-Life Considerations: Designing shoes that are easy to recycle or biodegrade, and implementing take-back programs.

Brands like Allbirds, TOMS, and Cariuma are leading the way with sustainable practices, incorporating ethical production, biodegradable materials, and innovative recycling programs.

It's high time we step up and support more sustainable shoes! By backing brands and artisans who actually care about the environment, we can help cut down on waste in the shoe industry.

So, next time you're shoe shopping and feeling overwhelmed by the choices, remember this: you have the power to make a difference. Support the brands and artisans who are putting the planet first. Together, we can cut down on waste in the shoe industry and maybe, just maybe, save me from face-planting in a pile of shoes during my next shopping trip.

Thanks for joining me on this journey towards greener footwear.

Erin Bornstein 

ReBorn Designs LLC