19 UK ETHICAL TRAINER BRANDS CREATING A GREENER FOOTPRINT

WHAT MAKES AN ETHICAL TRAINER?

In a world of overconsumption, the most sustainable option is to not buy more products. However, if your old trainers are so worn out that you need to buy new, then opting for an ethical brand can help to lower your impact. Our guide on how to recycle your old pair can help you reduce your impact further.

Here are some core things to look out for when searching for sustainable footwear brands.

MATERIALS

Conventional trainers, often made from nylons, plastics and unsustainable rubbers, don’t score the best marks for sustainability. Ethical trainer brands are working to change this by using materials that are renewable, recycled, and that use a conscious production model.

Certified natural materials such as GOTS organic cotton, recycled rubber, recycled plastic bottles and even coffee grounds or fishing nets are the building blocks of sustainable trainers. They mean the use of less water, less virgin materials and a lower carbon footprint.

A growing number of brands are joining the movement to end plastic waste and reuse it in their shoes. The good news about this is that they´re not so commonly washed, so microplastic shedding is much less of a problem than for clothes.

PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND THE PLANET

Truly ethical brands are kind to people, the planet and animals. When shopping for ethical trainers look for brands that have robust policies that ensure workers’ rights are upheld. It´s also great to find brands that are certified by organisations such as Fairtrade.

Vegan brands have the least risk of animal exploitation, but if buying from brands that use products such as wool or leather, make sure they are from managed sources certified by organisations such as the Leather Working Group.

WASTE

It takes the average pair of shoes thirty to forty years to decompose. When considering the monumental amount of shoes created each year, that´s a lot of footwear littering the world.

Sustainable brands work to change this, providing practical ways for consumers to dispose of their old shoes when they´re worn out. This could be an in-house recycling program or other practical sustainable disposal solutions.

And brands that use biomaterials such as sugar cane and corn waste are even working towards their trainers becoming fully biodegradable, reducing their environmental impact even further.

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Image 19 UK ETHICAL TRAINER BRANDS CREATING A GREENER FOOTPRINT

Image 19 UK ETHICAL TRAINER BRANDS CREATING A GREENER FOOTPRINT