If you think you have to sacrifice style if you want to wear eco-friendly shoes, think again. The latest crop of socially-responsible footwear is designed to fit even people with fashion-forward tastes, so you can look good and feel good, too, about the choices you make.

Shoes That Are Good For The Planet

The traditional shoe industry takes quite a toll on the environment, using multiple resources, causing pollution and producing toxic waste. That’s why a growing number of large and small manufacturers are seeking alternatives that minimize the negative effects but still appeal to people who want modern and attractive choices when it comes to sneakers, sandals, pumps and boots. In addition, many high-end designers are jumping on the trend, too, creating eco-friendly shoes and other accessories using more sustainable materials.

What’s In A Name

The term “eco-friendly” shoe can encompass a wide range of styles and materials, but basically fall into two broader categories. The first is vegan, or vegetarian, shoes, and the second are those shoes made from animal products but that still make an effort to take a positive environmental approach in the manufacturing process. Under these two broader umbrellas, whether you select organic shoes, recycled material, toxin-free, synthetic and/or socially responsible options, there are some basic factors to consider that will make a difference in the look, feel and overall green impact of the one you choose. Also keep in mind that some green choices are have much more of a positive impact on the environment than others, and that there is also a lot of overlap when it comes to different terms.

Some of the things you should ask when shopping for green shoes includes: what material(s) the shoe is made from, whether the manufacturer has used any chemicals, what type of glue is used, and where the shoe is produced. These answers, and more, all affect the carbon footprint of the shoe.

Here are some of the popular eco-friendly shoe options available today and a broad overview of each:

Vegan Shoes

You’ve probably heard all of the hype about vegan shoes, which have become quite popular lately. These are a great alternative for people who want non-leather, cruelty-free products. Vegetarians generally select this option, as do people who support animal rights. But even if you do eat meat and aren’t politically active, you still may want to consider these shoes, which are typically made of recycled, nontoxic materials that are biodegradable and therefore, kinder to the environment. You may already know that the process of making traditional leather shoes relies on slaughtering animals for their skins to make the leather. But you might not realize that the slaughterhouses are said to contribute more to greenhouse gas emissions than even the automotive industry. This means that picking a vegan shoes is an easy way you can make a real difference to the planet. Further, many animal-friendly materials have the look of real leather, but without the negative effects.