An estimated 23 billion pairs of shoes are produced annually, most of which will end up in landfills at the end of their lifetime. And because they’re mainly made out of plastic, they’re here to stay for centuries. But a few companies have already demonstrated that it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way. One such example is the American ethical apparel company United by Blue, which has partnered with Canadian shoemaker SOLE to create a shoe that is sustainable “from tongue to tread”. Called the Jasper Wool Eco Chukka, it’s a casual gender-neutral shoe that boasts an impressive list of eco materials: from wine corks serving as the primary material for its soles to ethically-sourced and fully traceable merino wool that gives breathable stretch and comfort while allowing the shoes to be worn without socks if desired. The project launched as a Kickstarter campaign and was fully funded within the first 24 hours, demonstrating that this is something that people clearly want: a shoe that looks good and is good for the environment.
These shoes are biodegradable and made out of recycled materials
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