
Practically Green intern & shoe aficionado Nikita Sahgal
I’m not going to lie, shoes are my forte and I can safely say that I own way too many of them. Last time I checked I had approximately over 20 pairs of heels, 10 flats, and 5 pairs of flip flops (I think thats a CONSERVATIVE guesstimation). Yes, I’m a shoe hoarder but I’m also quite well versed in the shoe world.
Here at Practically Green, there is a wonderful action that allows you to add 30 points to your quiz score.
As a fanatic, I find it necessary to bust the myth that eco-friendly shoes MUST be ugly because not all environmentally conscious footwear has to be. Here’s the proof (don’t worry men, there is stuff in here for you too).

Shoes are resource intensive to produce. Most contain harmful glues and synthetic, petroleum-derived materials, ranging from polyurethane to PVC. These can all pollute the air during production.
When it comes to leather, tanning creates pollution as well as toxic waste. Tanneries can use harmful substances such as formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, and cyanide-based dyes. And the animals the skins come from are rarely raised sustainably or humanely. Other skins may come from exotic and even endangered species.

Great dress shoe for men by Olsen Haus.

Olsen Haus 100% pure vegan kids shoes! So cute and so eco-friendly!

Every women should have a staple black pump in their closet. Goes with EVERYTHING and is 100% pure vegan by Olsen Haus.
At the end of their useful life, most footwear isn’t recycled or disposed of properly. Most wind up in landfills where they take years to decompose. This being said, how do you purchase ec0-friendly shoes? Practically Green has some great product tips on our shoe action that are user recommended and are thoroughly researched by our awesome team.

Women's Earthkeepers® by Timberland. Perfect shoe for the summer and this line is guaranteed to only use one bottle and a half of water to manufacture!

Men's Earthkeepers® by Timberland features trendy men's shoes as well. Every girl likes a guy in a nice pair of eco-friendly loafers!
What constitutes an eco-friendly shoe varies widely. Vegan and/or vegetarian shoes have lower eco-impact because they’re not made from leather. They tend to be made of biodegradable (canvas, hemp, and even organic cotton) and/or recycled materials (PVC, rubber). Though PVC is widely referred to in environmental circles as the poison plastic, reusing it keeps more out of landfills and less from being manufactured.
Natural latex shoes aren’t petroleum derived. They are made from rubber trees that are tapped—not cut down–to make the rubber. Pretty eco.

Wedges are in this season and Olsen Haus provides us with a 100% vegan free alternative to trendy funky shoes!
If you prefer leather, seek out shoes from manufacturers (touting) using eco-friendlier processes like vegetable tanning, which is slightly less toxic than (the alternative) conventional methods. These shoes generally can be recycled at the end of their life. Always ask questions when shopping.
I must admit, I think I’ve smashed the myth to pieces with this post. At the end of the day, there are so many brands that are vegan or eco-friendly, just make sure you do the right research to make sure they really do practice what they preach.
My goal: have half the shoes in my closet be eco-friendly, a hard but not impossible task.
Other featured eco-friendly shoes on PG are: New Balance newSKY Sneakers, Aigle Boots, and Birkenstock
Some recommendations by our followers on Twitter: Beyond Skin, Cri de Coeur, BoBo London, & Po-Zu.

JoJo - Pink faux suede made from recycled PET which is beautifully soft & durable.

Po-Zu. Vegetarian sneaker made with beeswax canvas and cork. Combines water-resistancy with exceptional cushioning.

Bobo London. Made from eco-friendly recycled Meflex.

Clio Ankle Strap Wedge. Eco-PU and patent vegan leather upper 4” Reclaimed Wood Wedge with 1” platform Cruelty free and hand crafted in Los Angeles
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