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Platform by Mission Sustainability
By Himanshu jangid • Nov 13, 2024
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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.
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.
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.
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?
Are sustainable shoes expensive compared to traditional shoes?
What should I consider before buying eco-friendly footwear?
How do I dispose of old shoes sustainably?
Are sustainable shoes really eco-friendly or is it just greenwashing?
What impact does the footwear industry have on the environment?
Do sustainable shoes have a lower carbon footprint?
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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