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There’s a reason why sustainable shoes for women are better than their conventional counterparts. They’re made consciously to reduce their environmental impact while also improving their human impact. That could translate to brands using recycled materials (plastic bottles being a current industry favorite) or paying their workers 4x the minimum wage to ensure that employees can afford to not only meet the bare necessities but also save. These extra steps are taken because being sustainable and creating a product that does (and looks good) is just as important as profit.
These nine sustainable shoe brands each offer a unique way to give back and ensure that their product is doing more good than harm. So, depending on your ethics and style, you’re sure to find a beautiful flat that is the perfect fit for you.
Allbirds: Eucalyptus Materials
Allbirds is a sustainable and ethical footwear brand that mainly specializes in comfy shoes made from renewable materials.
Environmental Impact: The mesh knit in the ballet flats is made of sustainably harvested eucalyptus tree pulp. The insoles are made of merino wool and castor bean oil. The shoe’s soles are from SweetFoam, which is a carbon-negative eco EVA made from Brazilian sugarcane. All in all, the brand is dedicated to sustainability with the intention of reversing climate change, lowering its carbon footprint, using renewable materials, and using energy responsibly.
Rothy’s: Recycled Materials
Comfort should not be sacrificed for beauty. That is one of the leading points in Rothy’s sustainable shoes for women. When you add in a dash of sustainability, you get a top-notch product.
Environmental Impact: Rothy’s flats are made of repurposed water bottles and bio-based algae Strobel boards. The insoles are made of bio-based castor oil and the outsoles of carbon-free rubber or vegan leather. With this choice of materials, the brand shows its vision that sustainability and fashion can work in a circle to save oceans and marine life.
Nisolo: 100% Livng Wage, 0% Net Carbon
Nisolo is a brand that offers quality leather goods made sustainably and ethically in Peru.
Nisolo is one of the world’s top rated footwear and accessories brands of all certified B Corps in the areas of Social & Environmental Responsibility.
Environmental Impact: Nisolo’s ethical approach can be seen through the craftmanship from Peru’s skilled shoemakers. Each is handmade by artisans who earn a living wage. That means that wages are high enough to cover basic necessities like shelter, food, healthcare, education and savings. As a B-Corp, the brand is also a strong supporter and promoter of transparency in the fashion industry, as well as combating climate change through 0% net carbon exposure.
ABLE: 100% Living Wage + Transparent Wages
ABLE is labeled as an ethical fashion innovator. That comes from its persistence and vision to consistently push for transparent fashion production practices and offer its customers sustainable and ethical solutions.
Your purchase matters because it allows us to empower women. 96% of our employees are women. We publish our lowest wages. And so much more.
Environmental Impact: Like most brands, ABLE is on a continuous journey to reduce their environmental footprint. That means taking sustainable initiatives like swapping recyclable mailers for cloth bags and working with tanneries and other vendors that engage in clean water practices. The brand is also transparent about publishing their wages from Ethiopia to Nashville. Customers can see what the current wages are for all their manufacturing partners and employees.
The Root Collective: Above Fair Wage
Taking its name from the small, independent workshops it works with, the Root Collective is a brand that empowers small businesses throughout Guatemala.
Our makers earn anywhere from 50-400% above the Fair Wage minimum in Guatemala, depending on their skill and job description.
Environmental Impact: From the materials to the end design of the product, the brand works closely with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that wages are livable and working conditions are fair and healthy. Customers have a chance to ‘meet’ a few of these artisans on the website, to truly connect with the term ‘who made my accessories’.
Fuchsia Shoes: Zero Waste Production
Fuchsia sustainable flats for women are handmade by artisans using traditional techniques for shoes that are built for comfort and conform to the shape of your foot.
Environmental Impact: Handmade in Pakistan, these sustainable shoes for women are made from recycled leather (that is a byproduct of the meat industry) or unused fabric. The style of the shoes are focused on patterns that further reuse and minimize waste. Artisans are highlighted for their talent to transparently communicate with customers that all products are ethically made.
Fortress of Inca: Meet the Maker
Quality materials and craftsmanship are the cornerstone of the Fortress of Inca brand.
Environmental Impact: Fortress of Inca is committed to working with family-owned and operated factories that ensure not only high quality products, but fair working conditions and wages as well. The people are the cornerstone of this brand and they’re continuously highlighted, with each shoe showing the artisan behind it.
Matt + Natt: Vegan & Cruelty Free
Matt+Natt is a brand that offers a range of beautifully-made vegan leather products, among which are ballet flats.
Environmental Impact: Matt & Nat is dedicated to caring for animals and the welfare of the planet. In 2020 the brand moved away from PVC (a plastic-based leather) to PVB, a type of material made from recycled windshield glass resin. All of their linings are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and they’re testing out other sustainable and biodegradable materials like fruit leathers.
Camper: New and Recycled materials
Camper is a heritage brand that has shown that it is possible to change according to the needs of the market and the time.
We can never be perfect because true sustainability is a constant process. This involves implementing new standards and processes across every area of our business. Sustainability never finishes, we are never satisfied.
Environmental Impact: From reducing their waste to their reliance on fossil fuels, Camper is a brand that is taking actionable steps to improve their environmental footprint while taking customers on their journey. In 2020 Camper headquarters in Spain transferred to certified green energy. In 2021 they introduced their ReCrafted collection of shoes made from worn materials to reduce landfill waste. Other projects involve collaborations with nonprofits to protect ocean life and reduce plastic pollution.
Read more about ethical fashion brands: