Steps footwear brands and manufacturers can take to achieve sustainability

The global footwear industry is a major player in both the fashion world and our daily lives. As concerns over environmental degradation and climate change increase, there is a growing demand for sustainable products in every sector, including footwear.

In today’s world of striving for sustainable development, footwear brands and manufacturers are accelerating the adoption of environmentally conscious practices and can take proactive steps towards achieving sustainability.

This article delves into some of the critical steps that brands and manufacturers can adopt to achieve sustainability in the footwear industry.

Use sustainable materials

One of the key steps footwear brands and manufacturers can take towards sustainability is by prioritising materials sourced from sustainable and renewable sources, such as organic cotton, sustainably sourced leather or recycled polymers. The following are some benefits of using these materials:

Organic cotton is cultivated without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides, using organic cotton can reduce soil degradation and water contamination.

Sourced sustainably or natural rubber can be a renewable resource with less environmental impact than synthetic versions.

Recycled polymers divert plastic waste from landfills or the environment, the process of recycling existing polymers often consumes less energy compared to producing virgin polymers. Utilising existing materials reduces the need for new raw materials and hence conserves resources.

Use eco-friendly manufacturing processes

Utilise water-saving and energy-efficient dyeing processes such as closed-loop system and techniques, for example, dry or waterless dyeing, can reduce the energy and water resource during production.

Use renewable energy sources in factories, for instance, solar or wind energy, to reduce carbon emissions.

Implement waste reduction strategies in production processes such as optimising patterns, along with recycling and upcycling of scraps, defective products and byproducts.

Emphasise durability

Produce footwear that stands the test of time, lessening the demand for regular replacements and consequently minimising waste. Champion a mindset of mending over discarding. This can be achieved by providing repair facilities or designing shoes with replaceable components.

Design with the end of life in mind

Considering the end of the product’s life cycle is another important step footwear brands and manufacturers can take to achieve sustainability. By designing shoes that are easy to recycle, repair or biodegrade, manufacturers can reduce the amount of waste generated by the industry.

Implement take-back programs where old shoes can be returned to be refurbished or recycled, making it easier for consumers to responsibly dispose of their worn-out shoes. Through this kind of programme, materials can be separated, recycled, or repurposed, minimising waste, and enabling the creation of new products or components.

Reduce the use of harmful chemicals

Another critical step for footwear brands and manufacturers aiming for sustainability is monitoring the use of restricted chemical substances. Many adhesives used in footwear manufacturing contain chemicals that can be harmful, both to human health and the environment.

Implementing a robust chemical management system can help brands and manufacturers track and restrict the use of these harmful substances. Following ZDHC MRSL (Manufacturers Restricted Substances List) enables brands and manufacturers to identify and substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.

Support ethical manufacturing practices

While footwear brands and manufacturers have put plenty of effort into achieving sustainability from an environmental aspect, it is worth remembering that sustainability goes beyond materials and waste management. It also entails upholding ethical manufacturing practices, including fair wages, safe working conditions and worker welfare.

It is a collaborative effort between suppliers, footwear brands and manufacturers to combat unethical manufacturing practices. Regular audits and inspections can help identify areas for improvement, promoting continuous growth towards ethical manufacturing practices.

Why choose the Eurofins Softlines & Leather network of laboratories?

Achieving sustainable manufacturing practices in the footwear industry value chain is not an issue of when but how. With stricter regulations and growing customer demand, footwear brands and manufacturers are actively seeking solutions to meet their sustainability requirements.

Eurofins Footwear Environmental Impact Calculator is a simple-to-use and cost-effective online calculator tool that helps footwear brands and retailers make assessments to identify potential hotspots and key sustainability improvement target areas within their supply chain.

To learn more about how Footwear Environmental Impact Calculator can help you achieve sustainability, click here.