On The Flip Side: An Eco Review Of A Hot Summer Shoe
By Jillian Polaski
Filed Under Conscious Commerce |
Let’s focus for a moment on our feet. It’s summer; a time when our toes can finally be set free without fear of frost-bite, yet since humans are not evolved enough to bear-it-all without protecting our precious peds, we seem to have devised a solution: the ultimate foot wear for the bohemian, the hazardous when running too fast, fun for the sprinkler but not mowing the lawn, sole that embodies the definition of laid-back style: flip flop sandal.
Like everything else in my life, lately I’ve been wondering how eco-friendly my favorite style of shoe actually is. We have evidence that the Ancient Egyptians were sporting flip flops way back in 4,000 BC, and you can bet that the woven papyrus and palm leaves they were made of were not doing any damage to the natural environment. On an equally sustainable parallel, the Masai in Africa traditionally made sandals out of rawhide, rice straw was used in China and Japan, the leaves of the sisal plant in South America, and the indigenous peoples of Mexico sourced fibers from the yucca plant. So, understandably, when I see a pair in the store, I can’t help but think of how ethically sourced the rubber is, or what young hands may have applied the toxic glue responsible for holding the plastic thong to the plastic platform.
I was on a mission: choose three eco-conscious brands and put them to the ultimate test: can a flip-flop be comfortable, responsibly made and environmentally conscious? Let’s see…
Autonomie Project
Autonomie Project’s new Ethletic Flip Flops are made with 100% natural rubber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC. The FSC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. These flip flops are also fairly traded, vegan, and cruelty-free, and the perfect pair of sporty flip flops to toss on with a tank top and a pair of jeans. They would also make great pool or beach shoes.
The soles are thick and cushy with lots of bounce and shock absorption. Best of all? With anything you buy from this company (they also sell sneakers and bags), your conscience can rest assured that it wasn’t produced in a sweatshop by a ten-year-old child, and that can feel as good as your feet do while you’re wearing them.
MSRP: $35.00
Splaff Flopps
Splaff Flopps is a super cool company that makes bags and wallets in addition to shoes. Their flip flops are made from recycled race car tires and bicycle inner tubes, the strap linings are made from hemp, and the footbed covering is either recycled rubber or hemp. Splaff’s flip flops are produced in a 100% waste free process in which all of the leftover materials are either re-used or recycled.
These flip flops are ultra comfortable. The hemp lining on the straps prevents blisters from the rubber rubbing your skin raw and the straps hug your feet and keep them from slipping off the footbed. There’s even an arch support. These flip flops are equally as comfortable as a pair of Reefs or Rainbows, and, with their history of being old bike tires, you can wear them guilt-free.
MSRP: $50.00
Simple Shoes
Simple Shoes is a company that cares about the planet and their workers. They produce everything from flip flops to sneakers to bags. They follow an Ethical Supply Chain management process in the manufacture of all of their products-meaning no child labor, no forced labor, and fair wages. Their Green Toe line is the most ecologically conscious of all of their products, using materials such as: organic cotton, hemp, recycled tires, and water-based cements.
Besides being eco-friendly, their flip flops are downright cute. You can wear them with a sundress as easily as with a pair of jeans or shorts. My favorite sytle is their U.F. Toe, available in blue, green, and brown hemp straps, with a cork and latex blend footbed and very comfortable arch support.
MSRP: $55.00
So which pair did I like the best? While all three of these companies made the eco-grade with their flops and there’s not a pair on this list that you won’t feel good about purchasing, I have to say that the Splaff Flopps were my favorite. I love their “simple goes-with-absolutely-everything” summery style, their comfort, and the fact that the company personally collects, sorts, and cleans all of the tires they use in their sandals. My advice: go slip some on, put some “flip” into what’s left of the summer and enjoy!
Posted on August 8, 2008 |
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Environmentally friendly rubber sandals?! I never thought that there was such a thing as FSC-certified rubber trees. Very cool.