by Karissa Kilgore
While everyone is concerned about carbon footprints, you can't ignore your own feet. Protection, comfort, support, and fashion: A good pair of shoes is a requirement for any human being—-and a good pair of green shoes? Well, they can't compare to Dorothy's ruby slippers, but they're probably more eco-friendly.
Trade-In
When you're looking for your new kicks, first check to see whether any shoe stores in your area provide a trade-in program. Some stores will offer a discount if you bring in an old pair of shoes to recycle. There are different programs; those that give the collected shoes to the poor might require your shoes to be in good condition, but if the shoes are being disassembled then bring in your retired ones for a final run.
If there aren’t any trade-in programs in your area and your old shoes are in good shape, consider donating them to a charity that collects items to give to the needy.
Check:
*The soles--for cracks
*The lace-holes--for rips or tears
*The inside of the shoe--for wear
The shoes should be gently used or moderately worn—if you wouldn't accept them yourself they should be recycled. Find out if your local recycling center accepts shoes.
Made with Green
Search the stores for shoes made with materials that are biodegradable, like hemp or organic cotton. Recycled materials can be used widely in shoe production, so look for recycled rubber, plastic, cork, and blends of natural fibers. Most of these can be labeled as cruelty-free, too, since there are no animal furs, skins, or fibers used in these all-around friendly shoes.
Eco-friendly sneakers and sandals are the easiest to find. Sadly, dressier shoes are lagging behind in this area. Most are still made from leather and cloth blends and their production methods might not be so great for the environment. However, women's pumps can be found in recycled plastics (sometimes in vibrant, exciting colors!) and flats in eco-knits (look for clogs, ballet flats, or loafers). Hopefully men's dress shoes will join the green trend as it becomes more pervasive in the world of footwear.
Manufacturing Methods
Shoes are notorious for being made in sweatshops under poor conditions and for very little pay. In the search for green-wear, the human element is a driving force. Look for online boutiques that follow fair trade principles. Fair trade means that workers who made the items were paid a fair wage for normal work hours in good working conditions. The goal of fair trade is to help workers move from vulnerability to economic stability through greater equity in global trade.
Another element to search for in green shoes is how they're made. Asking a shoe store salesperson if solar power was used in the production of the sandals you're trying on is probably not going to elicit the information you want. Instead, look online for manufacturers that use wind or solar power, or who process raw materials with reusable chemicals. Even if the materials aren't organic or natural or recycled, if the shoes are made in factory that is smart about energy or waste that is better than those made without any concern about the planet.
Best Foot Forward
We walk on earth everyday, but it's our Earth to take care of. Going green only takes a little more effort than regular shopping. We can change the marketplace simply by altering the way we shop. If you take the time to make sure that what's on your feet is good for the ground you walk on and all that is around you, more than just your feet will thank you for a good pair of shoes.
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