Top 10 Sustainable Footwear Brands Available in India

There is something quite special about a good pair of footwear, the one that is comfortable, good looking and durable. It generally turns into your true companion, if you ask me I have my daily wear shoes which have lasted 5-6 years. We have made memories together and they have been supporting me through thick and thin literary & figuratively!!

But in recent years things are quite different, footwear is no longer just an accessory, but a race of acquiring the latest & the greatest of brands. Fast fashion and global brands will always want you to buy more & more with their limited collectibles & celebrity endorsed products. And some of us have jumped on the bandwagon to amass a lot of sneakers, thanks to pop culture!

While we do this we have to be mindful of the choices we make. Overconsumption of anything leads to imbalance and generally affects natural ecosystems. Still, if you are in the lookout for new footwear today we will help you choose a sustainable pair that not only looks great on your feet but also better for the environment! We would also shed light on topics like factors to consider, certifications and post purchase maintenance.

Firstly let's understand Why choose Sustainable Footwear?

Firstly let's understand Why choose Sustainable Footwear?

Research continues to bring up evidence about how toxic materials used to manufacture shoes and other fashion products like rubber, polyurethane and nylon are harmful for human life and the environment. They break down as microplastics and enter human bodies damaging the DNA and even causing chronic illnesses like Cancer.

Sustainable footwear brands only have bright days ahead for them. The increasing consumer awareness supported by founders who are driven to make a difference will see a rise in demand and production for products that are planet friendly.

Here are Top 10 Sustainable Footwear Brands Available in India

Thaely - A sustainable fashion brand that creates vegan sneakers from up-cycled waste plastic bags, recycled plastic bottles and recycled rubber. They’ve invented ThaelyTex, an innovative leather alternative created exclusively from discarded plastic bags. Certifications - Uses 100% Certified rPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate - a fabric made from recycling waste PET Plastic Bottles), Clearly defined Supplier Code of Conduct.

source: Thaely.webp

Flamingo - Plant based shoemakers who only use natural sustainable fabrics such as corn waste, bamboo, organic cotton and natural rubber. Their shoes are crafted by long-experienced artisans who share the experience and expertise in using these fabrics.

source: Flamingo.webp

Paaduks - Mumbai based footwear brand whose shoes are made from recycled waste, such as tires, rubber mats, PVC leather, elastic, and other fabrics. They also run an eco-thrift store that offers their exclusive designs, hero collections and special editions at unbeatable prices.

source: Paduks.webp

Veja - VEJA has been creating sneakers in a different way, mixing social projects, economic justice, and ecological materials. VEJA uses Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton for the canvas and laces, Amazonian rubber for the soles, and various innovative materials made from recycled plastic bottles or recycled polyester.

source: Veja Kids Arcade Artic Sneakers Whit 498_ZOOM.webp

The saree sneakers - This brand gives sneakers an Indian twist with intricate handwork, such as Zardozi and Chicken Kari making them the perfect choice for contemporary and exclusive festive wear.

source: Saaree sneaker.webp

Retag - Retag offers pre-owned luxury shoes & accessories with gold standard quality and style for men, women and kids. They also allow you to resell your unused or good quality products, thereby, reducing waste. Certifications - Authenticate First - Their Authentication Partners

source: Retag.webp

Murtle - Murtle manufactures the world's first fully modular footwear. Curious right? Check the link for more. They also offer shoe repairing and restoration for footwear from any brand.

source: Murtle.webp

Badhuche - Gujarat based women’s footwear brand made with recycled and natural materials (like recycled rubber and canvas) and uniquely hand painted designs by women who make them.

source: Baduche.webp

Greensole - Greensole offers sustainable footwear that’s made from vegan fabrics. Apart from that they follow ethical sourcing and fair labour practices. Certifications - PCTA Approved Vegan, Ortholite®️ Recycled™️ insocks, consisting of 98% post-production waste material

source: Greensole.webp

Neeman’s - Hailed as India’s first shoe brand to use natural, renewable and sustainable fibers that also includes Australian e merino wool, Neeman’s shoes are stylish, comfortable and planet friendly. Certifications - Tencel, GRS (Global Recycled Standard), Woolmark

source: Neemans.webp

What were our Research & Judgment Parameters?

We look at the publicly available information by the brand to evaluate if it's sustainable or not. Our process is an observatory process and does not entail a brand to be 100% sustainable.

Here are some factors we evaluate brands closely on:

Transparency of information: How easy and confidently they talk about their processes and material sourcing
Certification in sustainability: If they have procured certificates and done enough testing to show their brands are truly what they stand for.
Validation and words from the users: How is the community responding to their products? do they find it authentic of even sustainable as the brand claims it to be
Speaking with the founder: We try to speak with the founder and often understand their perspective and see if they are open to tell us the process and sourcing which they do not publicly make available.

First up, why audit a brand for its compliances (sustainability integrity)? Today’s stakeholders demand accountability and transparency. Social audits help businesses demonstrate ethical business practices across functions and hence their commitment to a better world ahead of us. Here are some certifications that buyers must check for and which reinforce a brand’s anchoring towards a safer planet.

BSCI - Business Social Compliance Initiative The BSCI certification helps a business monitor its supply chain to ensure that all suppliers are treating workers ethically and legally. It is a business-driven initiative for companies committed to improving working conditions in the global supply chain.
SEDEX - good working conditions and environmental safety The basic requirements for SEDEX certification are labour standards, health and safety, environmental protection, business integrity practices, and protocol to develop audit reports.
GRS - The Global Recycled Standard An international, voluntary, full product standard that sets out requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. Their goal is to increase the use of recycled materials in products and reduce/eliminate the harm caused by its production.
Eco-Cert They assist stakeholders in the implementation and promotion of sustainable practices through certification, consulting and training services.

Sustainable footwear can leave a lasting positive impact on the entire chain. From manufacturers, to suppliers, marketers and consumers, and most importantly the environment. Brands that sell sustainable footwear follow ethical sourcing practices, constantly practice reducing waste, use recycled and renewable fabrics and resources to manufacture their products that last longer as compared to the ones that fall under ’fast-fashion’ category. The key here is to keep the shoe in circulation for longer, bringing down the need of frequent compulsive purchases for new ones and by extension reducing the waste too.

On the other hand, non-sustainable materials and footwear have a chain of harmful effects. Starting from the purchase (pockets) to the disposal (landfills), they leave a trail of toxicity that damages the environment, biodiversity, exploits marginal communities and produces waste that can take up years or generations to undo its impact on human, marine and wildlife. The waste eventually enters the natural land, air and water systems harming life in all forms.

FAQS

It is not enough to buy a sustainable pair of footwear. The real test that follows is increasing their lifecycle and maintaining them well. Here are few Frequently Asked Questions for buying and maintenance:

How do I care for eco-friendly shoes to make them last longer?

There are two primary ways to look after your favourite pair of sustainable shoes. Firstly, clean them on a regular basis. Cleaning instructions are provided by your brand. It’s best advised to follow them. Secondly, storage. Store your pairs in a dry, non-dusty and clean space.

Are sustainable shoes expensive compared to traditional shoes?

Sustainable shoes can be priced slightly higher than traditional shoes. However, they last longer offering cost benefit and efficiency in the long run.

What should I consider before buying eco-friendly footwear?

When purchasing an eco-friendly pair of footwear, check the fabric of the shoe, how much emphasis does the brand lay on ethical sourcing of fabrics, fair labour practices, renewable sources of energy, fair pricing and repair & disposal services. Choose and support local brands.

How do I dispose of old shoes sustainably?

Check if your pair can be recycled or repaired without damage for extended usage. If not, check if your brand offers disposal services. Shoes can also be donated or sold to brands that sell or rent pre-owned footwear.

Ethical and Environmental Concerns:

Are sustainable shoes really eco-friendly or is it just greenwashing?

Sustainable shoes are eco-friendly shoes that are made of natural and renewable materials that can decompose easily without harming the environment, human, marine or wildlife.

What impact does the footwear industry have on the environment?

The most used fabric in the footwear industry is leather. Leather processing and manufacturing is a highly polluting process that uses large quantities of water and chemicals. The waste generated from discarded footwear thus emits harmful gasses into the natural environmental systems.

Do sustainable shoes have a lower carbon footprint?

Yes. Sustainable shoes are manufactured with recycled, renewable and natural fabrics sourced ethically, that last longer and do not harm the environment. These shoes can run longer than the ones made from non-sustainable or toxic materials like nylon, animal leather etc.

Made For Planet is committed to help citizens make sustainable choices - easily. Read more of our blogs here. If you are running a sustainable business, get listed by contacting us here.

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