20 Sustainable Footwear Innovations

These sustainable footwear examples range from apple leather shoes to recycled space age sneakers.

In addition to taking part in annual Earth Day celebrations, more consumers are re-prioritizing low impact living year-round. While an ongoing climate crisis has lead many to rethink their consumption, especially when it comes to their fashion footprint, the COVID-19 pandemic's forced social distancing efforts are making waste-free living a necessity.

Notable examples of sustainable footwear include the New Balance Test Run PRJ 3.0 sneaker. The playful shoe is colorful and 90s-themed, appealing to Gen Z consumers and Millennials re-embracing nostalgia. The shoe's bold look is the result of scrap surplus materials that would otherwise be discarded. Additionally, examples like Cariuma's IBI sneakers fuse recycled plastics and bamboo yarn materials while addressing plastic waste and its harsh impacts on our oceans.