40 Sustainable Footwear Innovations

From Hay-Based Sneakers to Biodegradable Vegan Stilettos

— January 10, 2019 — Eco
These sustainable footwear innovations range from hay-based sneakers to biodegradable vegan stilettos. While adidas has recently made waves with its Parley ocean plastic initiative -- showcased with its new AM4LA sneaker release which features ocean plastic yarns -- nat-2's low-top sneakers feature an upper that consists of recycled hay. Additionally, examples like Berlin-based artist Magdalena Woodmann's shoe creations are crafted using found objects like wooden furniture parts which are broken down to create heels and couch upholstery which is recycled to create a fabric upper.

Other sustainable footwear innovations to note include Rothy's range of comfortable and chic flats which are crafted out of recycled plastic bottles along with Explicit Wear and Iamsterdam's 'Gumshoe' design which was launched in collaboration with environmental firm Gumdrop. Playing off the company's name, the shoes appropriately consist of recycled chewing gum.
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Ethical Boat Shoe Designs
Ethical Boat Shoe Designs
The Two Degrees Silhouettes Protect Global Endangered Habitats
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39
Sustainable Toddler Shoes
Sustainable Toddler Shoes
Freshly Picked Created a New Line of Boldly Illustrated Moccasins
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38
Eco-Friendly Baby Shoes
Eco-Friendly Baby Shoes
Freshly Picked's New Spring Moccasins are Perfect for the Beach
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37
Eco-Friendly Kids Shoes
Eco-Friendly Kids Shoes
Adidas and Parley for the Oceans Created a New UltraBoost for Kids
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36
Transparent Sneaker Websites
Transparent Sneaker Websites
Veja Prioritizes Awareness About Its Eco-Friendly Shoe Materials
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35
Lightweight Recyclable Sneakers
Lightweight Recyclable Sneakers
The Unstitched Utilities Tyvek Sneakers are Water-Resistant
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34
Haute Eco-Friendly Footwear
Haute Eco-Friendly Footwear
The PMJ Sneakers are Made from Recyclable Materials
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33
Upcycled Furniture Footwear
Upcycled Furniture Footwear
This Berlin Artist Makes Footwear from Furniture Found on the Street
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32
Eco Sugar Cane Flip-flops
Eco Sugar Cane Flip-flops
Allbirds are Releasing a Stylish Eco Flip-Flop called 'Sugar Zeffers'
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31
Recycled Waste-Crafted Sneakers
Recycled Waste-Crafted Sneakers
Ecoalf's Shao Sneakers are Made from Algae and Ocean Plastic
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30
Repairable Slip-on Sneakers
Repairable Slip-on Sneakers
The 'Layer' Shoe by Evan Stuart Fights Against Unnecessary Waste
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29
Sustainable Printed Toddler Sneakers
Sustainable Printed Toddler Sneakers
Veja Shoes Created a Bold Collection of Sneakers for Kids
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28
Recycled Shoe-Crafted Bags
Recycled Shoe-Crafted Bags
Jinah Jung Prepares to Debut Her Con-shoesness: Military Monster Series
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27
Recycled Gum-Created Sneakers
Recycled Gum-Created Sneakers
Explicit Wear Joined Iamsterdam and Gumdrop to Create the 'Gumshoe'
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26
Footwear-Repurposing Projects
Footwear-Repurposing Projects
Native Shoes' The Remix Project Turns Shoes into Playground Flooring
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25
80s-Inspired Ethical Shoe Silhouettes
80s-Inspired Ethical Shoe Silhouettes
Wado Boasts Ecologically Modern and Sustainable Sneakers
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24
Sustainable Wool Running Shoes
Sustainable Wool Running Shoes
Allbirds Shoe Company Created a New Eucalyptus Pulp Running Shoe
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23
Sustainable Wool High-Top Shoes
Sustainable Wool High-Top Shoes
Baabuk Releases a New Silhouette of Its Ultra-Comfortable Line
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22
Long-Lasting Sneaker Designs
Long-Lasting Sneaker Designs
The Shoe Brand OTH is Prioritizing Sustainable Materials
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21
Eco-Friendly Knit Sneakers
Eco-Friendly Knit Sneakers
adidas & Parley for the Oceans Unveil The UltraBOOST and UltraBOOST X
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20
Recycled Bottle Flats
Recycled Bottle Flats
Rothy's Makes Comfortable, Sustainable Shoes for Girls
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19
Olive Leather Sneakers
Olive Leather Sneakers
thies' Sneakers Repurpose the Leftover Leaves from an Olive Harvest
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18
Sustainable Hay-Based Sneakers
Sustainable Hay-Based Sneakers
nat-2's Hay Sneakers are Completely Vegan
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17
Biodegradable Vegan Stilettos
Biodegradable Vegan Stilettos
Sydney Brown is Launching a Pair of Environmentally Friendly Heels
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16
Pineapple Leather Sneakers
Pineapple Leather Sneakers
Hugo Boss' 'BOSS' Collection Features Shoes Made of Lightweight Piñatex
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15
Eucalyptus Fiber Running Shoes
Eucalyptus Fiber Running Shoes
The Allbirds Tree Toppers are Eco-Friendly and Odor-Repelling
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14
Eco-Friendly Wool Runners
Eco-Friendly Wool Runners
APL's Techloom Breeze Merino Wool Sneakers are Highly Sustainable
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13
Tire-Constructed Sustainable Shoes
Tire-Constructed Sustainable Shoes
The Sole of the OTH Shoe is Made with Recycled Tires
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12
Exclusive Sustainable Everyday Sneakers
Exclusive Sustainable Everyday Sneakers
Amour Vert and Veja Boasts an Ethically Produced Model
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11
Sustainable Zero-Waste Sneakers
Sustainable Zero-Waste Sneakers
Native Shoes' Jefferson 2.0 Slip-On Shoe is Made with 3D Knitting
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10
Repurposed Coffee Ground Sneakers
Repurposed Coffee Ground Sneakers
nat-2's Vegan Coffee Sneakers are Made from 50% Coffee Grounds
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9
Recycled Leather Sneakers
Recycled Leather Sneakers
A-COLD-WALL* and Nike Introduced Another Collaborative Footwear Design
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8
Upcycled Ocean Plastic Sneakers
Upcycled Ocean Plastic Sneakers
adidas Introduces the New Ultraboost Parley LTD Sneakers
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7
Sustainable Burger-Themed Sneakers
Sustainable Burger-Themed Sneakers
Allbirds & Shake Shack Teamed Up to Create a New Pair of Kicks
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6
Mushroom Leather Sneakers
Mushroom Leather Sneakers
nat-2's 'Fungi Line' Introduces Luxe Vegan Shoes Made from Real Fungus
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5
Ocean Plastic-Crafted Shoes
Ocean Plastic-Crafted Shoes
adidas Drops the AM4LA Sneakers Made with Parley Ocean Plastic Yarns
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4
Recycled Reusable Shoeboxes
Recycled Reusable Shoeboxes
This Nike Shoebox is Crafted from Coffee Lids and Milk Containers
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3
Sustainable Corn-Based Sneakers
Sustainable Corn-Based Sneakers
The Reebok Future Team Launches the NPC UK Cotton Sneakers
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2
Convertible Summer Shoes
Convertible Summer Shoes
Yuxa Footwear Transitions from Flip-Flops to Sandals
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Recyclable Modular Sneakers
Recyclable Modular Sneakers
'Up-Part' Shoes are Meant to Be Sold as Highly Customizable Kits
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