{ a blog all about the love of shoes }
July 26, 2011 
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Earth Day may have passed back in April, but you still have every reason to try and make it Earth Day every day. When shoe shopping, try to veer toward brands that use smart materials, conscientious manufacturing, or reduced packaging to help make the world a greener place. To help give you a few fabulous green shoe ideas, we’ve put together some of the greenest and most on-trend options from our eco-friendly retailers. Remember that your small shopping decisions can help make a huge global impact.
Get Something Whimsical
Indulging your wild side comes easier with green footwear. You can get beautiful, slightly off-beat shoes from lesser-known labels that will still benefit the planet through production or packaging considerations. Just in time for fall you can check out the Jasper ankle booties from Naya in gray, black or red suede. Naya has successfully created a collection of beautiful, comfortable shoes that are made with soft leathers, premium cushioning, and whenever possible, materials that reduce environmental impact. The Jasper has a wooden height of about three inches and a retro lace-up design.
Another great option is the Nefertiti boot from Naya. Once again featuring the supple, luxurious feel of suede, this lace-up boot has a heel height of three inches and features a fleece/fur lining.
Shop for Basics
Green shoes may not always be the trendiest in town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grab the basics when it comes to environmentally friendly footwear. Flats are very popular with plenty of respected greener labels, and it’s likely that you’ll find a great pair for running around town on the weekends. Naya offers the Begonia style that combines leather materials with a more delicate, girly shape, and they’re ideal for your busiest days that are chalk full of errands and pickup up and dropping off the kids. And since there are still a few hot summer days on the horizon, the Adria flip-flop from Birkenstock is the perfect choice for lounging around the house or making a quick trip to the grocery store.
Mei Sawyer and Dana Robinson
Mei Sawyer is an internationally published fashion journalist and Dana Robinson is the Editorial Manager of myShoes.com.
June 28, 2011 Comments (0)
I know what you’re thinking. In order for a shoe to be “green” it has to be made out of hemp or some other type of hippie-esque material. But the fact is that after several visits to Planet Shoes and their dedicated eco section, we’ve learned that there are plenty of eco-friendly shoe materials that are not only incredibly chic, but will look fabulous on your feet.
Rubbers: Think your car tires don’t go anywhere important when you drop them off at the recycling depot? Wrong! Much of the rubber that ends up in shoes is actually recycled from tires. It’s simply separated from the metal particulates and made into a simple powder to use in production.
And any extra cushioning you feel in your shoes may be derived from rice rubber. This combination of rice husks and latex rubber creates a cushioned layer that’s great for athletic shoes and any shoe sole that requires extra support. Since rice husks are usually thrown away, this is a very green rubber.
Bamboo: Bamboo is a highly sustainable choice for shoe production, since it can grow an incredible two feet in a single day. Bamboo-pulp shoes are soft and absorbent as well as anti-bacterial, which is great for combatting a sweaty foot problem. And if you live in a hot climate, you’ll also be glad to know that bamboo is UV-resistant.
Silk: Silk is made by silkworms, and it’s natural, renewable, and biodegradable. With sheen and strength, silk is one of the most elegant natural fibers out there.
Vegetable-Tanned Leather: Leather can be tanned in a manner that is environmentally responsible. The leather is tanned using tannins that are derived from bark and other parts of various plants and trees. Leather, of course, isn’t a vegan choice, but if you want the benefits or look of leather shoes, pick a pair that’s tanned with a vegetable process. Since leather is not a synthetic material, when it’s combined with vegetable tanning, it’s a good choice for earth-conscious individuals.
Water-Based Glue: Water-based glue is a perfect example of a small detail that can make a big difference in the world of shoe production. Water-based glue won’t contribute to air and water pollution, like solvent-based glues, and it’s used in the development of several shoe brands that are available at Planet Shoes.
Mei Sawyer
Mei Sawyer is an internationally published fashion journalist.
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