Top 5 Recycled Shoe Companies

Alright, so I feel like I’ve had a thing for shoes recently. Maybe since it’s spring and I can start wearing cute shoes again, I’m obsessed and keep looking up recycled shoes. Well this is to keep with the trend, an overview of some of the best recycled shoe companies. To compile this list, I looked at types of recycled materials used, how many products are actually made with those materials, how cute the shoes are (of course!), and how expensive they are.

1. Simple Shoes (www.simpleshoes.com)

I know I’ve already talked about Simple Shoes in one of my Recycled Product of the Day posts, but they really are fantastic. All of their shoes use recycled materials. All of them. And Simple Shoes doesn’t just use recycled rubber and call it a day. Here’s a list of the recycled (or organic) materials that they use. Ahem.

• Bamboo
• Silk
• Recycled Plastic
• Hemp
• Recycled carpet padding
• Organic cotton
• Recycled car tires
• Coconut
• Eco-certified leather and suede
• Wool
• Recycled inner tubes
• Natural crepe rubber
• Cork
• 100% post consumer recycled paper

Yeah. That’s kind of a big deal. The company follows the Deckers Ethical Supply Chain Guidelines too, which means they stringently follow labor and human rights laws. And the shoes are pretty affordable–they are about the same price as a normal pair. So for me, Simple Shoes is number one.

2. Groundhog Shoes (www.groundhogshoes.com)

I will admit, this company doesn’t use as many recycled products as I would like them to. But they are so committed to being eco-friendly that I had to put them at number two. Their recycled materials are mostly used for packaging, which is really good that they take that into consideration. The packaging is 100% recycled fibers, and they use recycled paper as the fillers in the shoes–you know, when you buy a new pair and they have tissue paper and little wooden rods stuck in the shoes? Those are recycled for these shoes. However, Groundhog uses completely natural materials for everything else: bamboo charcoal, crepe rubber, natural cork, coconut sheels, wood and tree resin, and naturally tanned leather. And the shoes  are wrapped in biodegradable bags.

3. El Naturalista (www.elnaturalista.com)

El Naturalista comes in at a close third. A Spanish company, El Naturalista makes relatively affordable shoes out of recycled rubber. While the shoes don’t use 100% recycled rubber, the footbed of the shoes are also made out of recycled materials. Like Groundhog, when El Naturalista isn’t using recycled materials, they are using completely natural materials: natural rubber, cork, and naturally treated leather. Every other season they come out with a new collection that aims to utilize eco-friendly materials as much as possible.

4. Ocean Minded (www.oceanminded.com)

This California-based company functions under the idea that everything can end up in the ocean, so we need to make products as environmentally friendly as possible. The shoes they produce are mostly flip-flops (they are in California after all), and they only have a few recycled pairs. The sandals use 25% post-industrial recycled foam to form the majority of the shoe. They also use recycled rubber for the soles, and the shoe is put together with water-based adhesives, to be extra eco-friendly. However, the sandals are pretty expensive for flip-flops, so that might be a turn-off for some people.

5. Soul Seekers Recycled

This company pretty much focuses on one thing: recycled flip-flops. Seriously, that’s about all they make. In making their flip-flops, they use 20% recycled plastic and 10% recycled rubber. One of the best things about SSR is that their shoes are still SUPER cheap: the flip-flops range from $4-6, which is normal. Soul Seekers Recycled is an up and coming company–they don’t have a website yet, but the blog world is getting all over the shoes.

In the running:

Chaco (www.chacousa.com): Uses 25% recycled rubber, but the shoes are expensive and not many of the shoes are made with recycled materials

Smartdogs (www.smartdogscomfort.com): Offers a few pairs of slippers with fleece made out of 100% recycled waterbottles; soles are made with recycled rubber

Naya Shoes (www.nayashoes.com): Uses recycled cork for the heels and treats leather in a natural way; shoes are very expensive

Jambu (www.jambu.com): Soles made with recycled rubber, many vegan shoes offered

J-41 (www.j-41.com): Uses 100% recycled and recyclable packaging and recycled rubber for the soles; also offers a vegan collection

Sanuk: (www.sanuk.com): One pair of shoes is recycled–R.A.S.T.A is made with recycled rubber and the liner is made of recycled materials; most shoes are vegan

TOMS Shoes

Most of you have probably already heard of TOMS–the shoe company that donates a pair of shoes to a child around the world for every pair that is bought. However, they also have a special line of shoes: Planet Approved. These shoes are made with organic cotton and are often vegan (no animal products), but they are also made from recycled materials! I’m a fan of this pair in particular.

All of TOMS Planet Approved shoes can be found at http://www.toms.com/planet-approved. TOMS in general are sold at Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Journeys…let’s be honest, they’re pretty much everywhere now.

Simple Shoes–Take on Ribbon Suede

I am absolutely in love with Simple Shoes, and this pair is awesome. The soles are made out of recycled car tires, and the foot inserts are made out of recycled paper. The box that they come in is also sustainable–it’s made out of recycled paper and soy-based ink.

These shoes can be found on the Simple website www.simpleshoes.com , but they can also be found at Journeys, REI, and Nordstrom, along with smaller, locally owned stores.