Vegan shoes refer to shoes that have zero use of animal products in their making. Thus, they contain no leather, suede, fur or wool. Their focus is on compassion for animals.
Upcycled shoes are a kind of sustainable shoes that is eco-friendly in their making. Upcycling refers to the practice of converting old, damaged shoes into newly embellished footwear using creativity and elan.
Thus, upcycling is a part of sustainability efforts, and sustainability is a wider term than veganism. Sustainability is all about reducing our negative impact on the environment and being kind to the planet. This may comprise the use of recycled materials, upcycling of old materials, lowering waste in the process of production and making use of renewable energy sources in the manufacturing process.
Yet, there is a contradiction in terms: shoes can be vegan without being sustainable, and sustainable shoes need not be vegan. Vegan shoes may be made of synthetic materials like plastic, which is not sustainable, while sustainable shoes may be made of responsibly sourced leather.
importance of making a choice
When you opt for a vegan or sustainable pair of shoes, you are making a bold statement with many repercussions. It is all about making a difference, whether being kind to animals or to the environment.
Eco-friendly shoes help reduce waste, conserve resources and support ethical businesses. They help preserve wildlife and reduce greenhouse gases. Upcycled shoes make good use of old, worn, and discarded material by converting them into attractive options and helping reduce pressure on landfills.
Vegan shoes are focused on preventing cruelty to animals. This does not always mean that they are eco-friendly. Some vegan shoes are made of plastics that are not biodegradable. They may not be sourced from ethically devoted industries that practice fair trade and ensure the rights of workers and their communities.
Vegan shoes may be made of synthetic or plant-based materials but not animal products. Plant-based materials are eco-friendly. They include items like bamboo, hemp and cotton. There are even materials like pineapple, cactus, grapes, apples, etc.
But then there are synthetic materials. An example is polyurethane. Note that plastic is tremendously damaging to the environment; it releases toxins in the process of production and is not bio-degradable, thus adding to the huge piles of waste on the planet.
Yet, some vegan brands are trying to lower the accumulation of waste materials by using recycled plastic or going the way of sustainable shoes by upcycling waste materials. Others are using plant-based materials with a smaller carbon footprint.
The global sustainable shoes market was estimated to reach a value of US $7.5 billion in 2019. The numbers are only increasing day by day. Sustainability is mainly about being eco-friendly, but there is more to the picture. It also implies being fair to workers, ensuring their secure living conditions and investing in the local community.
It also means to have a low carbon footprint without contributing to climate change. Sustainable shoes also need to be long-lasting to reduce waste. When they are worn out, they must be upcycled, recycled or compostable.
Materials and manufacturing
Vegan shoes are made of materials that do not involve cruelty to animals. This rules out wool, suede, leather and fur. Leather is made of cowhide or even the hides of other animals like pigs and goats. Vegan shoes also do not use toxic animal product-based glues in their manufacture.
Sustainable shoes are made of renewable and organic resources. This includes recycled plastics, hemp and organic cotton. Innovative products include pineapple, grapes, cork and algae. Sustainable footwear also tries to minimize waste and energy consumption in the manufacturing process. This means the use of renewable resources, zero-waste generation, and water recycling.
Sustainability and upcycling
Upcycling is a superior mode of recycling and is highly useful for the environment. It reduces the extraction of raw materials and produces less waste. This implies less waste generation since old shoes and other recyclable materials are being upcycled to make them wearable again. Less extraction of new raw materials because of the re-use of old materials will help preserve the planet's natural resources. Less manufacturing of new products will also lead to less pollution.
Vegan shoes and their benefits
The environmental impact of the leather industry is known quite commonly, from the process of tanning to the raising of cows in factory farms. Livestock farming not only contributes to greenhouse gases but also has a major impact on the surrounding systems of water and soil. The process of tanning involves the use of toxic chemicals, which can leak into nearby water bodies.
Vegan shoes do not use any animal skins or by-products in their making. There is no direct harm to animals. Vegan shoes have similar flex resistance, water permeability; tear resistance and tensile strength as animal product-based shoes like leather shoes.
Another winning feature of vegan shoes is their water resistance. Most vegan shoes made of synthetic materials have this quality. Vegan shoes are also less costly to produce, making them affordable for the masses.
Leather substitutes and plant-based vegan items are much more eco-friendly than genuine leather shoes. Plant-based vegan shoe materials are more ideal for the environment compared to plastic-based vegan shoe materials. Thus, though the best vegan shoes may not be 100% eco-friendly, they are a step in the right direction.
Ways to upcycle old shoes
Upcycled shoes are items of footwear which have been creatively re-purposed or transformed from their original state. Without discarding old shoes, they can be given new life by making use of innovative techniques and materials.
- Tire sandals can be created from old tires.
- Denim sneakers can be created from old denim jeans
- Woven flip-flops can be created by weaving together old, colourful flip-flops.
- Plain heels can be transformed by covering them with scraps of fabric.
- Old sneakers can be embellished with embroidery
- Knit cosy slippers with yarn or old sweaters.
- Leather patches can be collected to make patchwork boots.
- Old sandals can be fitted with lace for a feminine look.
- Inner tubes of bicycles can be cut into strips and woven into sandals.
In sum, these are the major differences between vegan shoes and upcycled shoes. Upcycled shoes are eco-friendly and more sustainable than vegan shoes. Upcycling not only lowers wastage but also helps in the expression of one's creativity.
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