Amidst the cacophony of school bells, chattering students, latest trend discussions, the topic of sustainable school shoes often remains overlooked. Yet, it’s time we stride up and change this narrative. How often do you consider the environmental impact kids’ shoes?
This blog post aims to shed light on the significance of sustainable school shoes. We’ll look at diverse options available in the UK market. Lastly we’ll discuss why sustainable options are better for our environment, our health, and the future of our children.
Reading Time: 10 mins
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Back to School in Eco-Friendly Style
As parents, it’s essential to make sure your children’s feet are well protected throughout their school years. Investing in good quality back-to-school shoes that are built to last, to reduce the need for replacing them as often. Look for kids school shoes made from sustainable materials like recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton or hemp.
Which Materials are Ethical?
Sustainable school shoes are becoming increasingly popular as more parents look for ethical alternatives to traditional materials. Organic materials such as cotton, hemp, jute, and bio-based sugarcane are all great options for shoes that are kinder to the environment. Leather is a popular choice, but awareness of unethical sources is important as animals are mistreated during the production process.
Recycled plastic is durable material that does not require harvesting new resources. Natural rubber is a renewable resource that is a popular choice for sustainable school shoes. It is biodegradable and sourced from ethically.
Upcycled materials such as tyres, plastic bottles and other waste materials are used to create stylish and durable ethical school shoes. These are often very unique and make a great statement piece for any school uniform.
Natural Fibres
When it comes to natural fibres, there are plenty of options to choose from:
- Cotton
- Hemp
- Jute
- Linen
- Wool
- Bamboo
All materials are breathable, allowing your children’s feet to stay cooler and drier for longer. Natural fibres are also lightweight, making them the perfect choice for school shoes that need to be comfortable and durable. And if your child has sensitive skin, natural fibres are the ideal choice as they reduce allergies and skin irritations.
Responsible & Ethical Kids Footwear Brands
Sustainable school shoes are an important part of protecting the environment and helping to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same benefits as we do. There are a number of sustainable shoe brands available on the market, and here we will look at five of the best.
Frugi
Frugi is a UK-based brand that specialises in sustainable school shoes, compromising on neither style nor comfort. Frugi’s shoes, including their adorable wellies, are made with organic cotton, recycled materials and vegan-friendly materials, ensuring that your kid’s feet are comfortable and protected all day long. They offer a range of fun styles from classic lace-ups to trendy slip-on trainers, so your child can find the perfect pair to suit their personality.
The shoes are designed to be durable and long-lasting, meaning you won’t have to replace them for some time. Frugi also uses eco-friendly packaging and their shoes come with a lifetime guarantee.
On top of all that, Frugi is committed to giving back to the community. They’ve partnered with a number of charities, helping to improve the lives of children around the world. So you can be sure that your purchase is helping to make a difference.
Clarks Foxing Hi Beau Kids £38-42 – WeloveFrugi.com
Petit Nord
Petit Nord is a brand of school shoes that are designed with natural materials such as organic cotton, wool and rubber, as well as recycled materials such as PET bottles. They come in a variety of styles and colours, and feature a flexible sole to ensure maximum comfort.
Petit Nord shoes, including their boots, sneakers, and sandals, are absolutely gorgeous but come in a little bit more expensive starting at £45 and up. They are designed to be comfortable, stylish, durable, and long-lasting, making them an excellent choice for school shoes that will last through the school year and beyond. On top of this, Petit Nord also offers a ‘repair and reuse’ service, where worn-out shoes can be repaired and reused to extend their lifespan.
Petit Nord is committed to reducing its environmental impact, and all of its shoes are made without the use of any toxic chemicals. So when you buy Petit Nord shoes, you can be sure that you are buying a product that is both sustainable and eco-friendly.
LOW T-BAR FLOWER £81 – uk.petitnord.com
Clarks
When it comes to sustainable school shoes, Clarks are leading the way. Their ‘Planet Friendly‘ range is made from sustainable and recycled materials such as recycled plastic bottles, so you can be sure your shoes are not impacting the environment.
Like Petit Nord, Clarks provides a free repair service for their school shoes, helping you to extend the life of the shoe and save money in the long run.
All Clarks school shoes come with ‘Smartfit’ technology, which helps ensure the correct fit and comfort for growing feet. What’s more, they come with a patented ‘Agion’ antimicrobial lining to help keep feet fresh and healthy. And, of course, all Clarks school shoes are made to the highest safety standards and are designed with durability in mind, so you can be sure they will last.
Scape Sky Youth Black Leather £52.00 Clarkes.co.uk
Wildling
Wildling‘s shoes are made from natural materials such as vegetable-tanned leather, organic cotton and natural rubber. The company is committed to sustainability, aiming to minimise its environmental footprint with renewable energy and recycled materials. Wildling shoes are designed to be durable and comfortable, with an ergonomic fit to ensure feet stay healthy. The company’s shoes are made in Europe with an emphasis on fair working conditions and quality craftsmanship.
Wildling shoes are designed to last, their designs feel like your walking barefoot on clouds. They can be passed down from sibling to sibling or even reused in the second-hand market. This means that parents can invest in sustainable shoes that will last for years to come, reducing the need to purchase new shoes every few months.
Medlar £96 – Wilding.shoes
Nubikk
Nubikk’s school shoes are designed to be both fashionable and long-lasting, so you won’t have to replace them often. Furthermore, Nubikk uses innovative production and recycling methods to reduce waste and their production process is carbon-neutral, helping to reduce your family’s carbon footprint you can be sure that your child will have a pair of shoes that will last.
Jonah Rai Jnr £100 – Nubikk.com
School shoe charities
There are a number of back to school shoes charities that support families by offering free school shoes for children. Many of these charities offer a discreet delivery service so adults and children can receive the shoes straight to their address. Here are the quick links to the best accredited charities I’ve found:
What Are Sustainable School Shoes And How Are They Made?
Sustainable school shoes are footwear options that are made using eco-friendly materials and production methods. They prioritize ethical sourcing, reduce waste, and minimize the carbon footprint. These shoes may be made from recycled materials, organic fabrics, or renewable resources like cork or bamboo.
How are sustainable school shoes different from regular school shoes?
Sustainable school shoes are made from materials that are waterproof, more durable, and of a higher quality than regular school shoes. They offer a wide range of options in terms of different styles, allowing students to express their individuality while still making an eco-friendly choice. Organic materials such as hemp, jute, and cork, or recycled plastics are often used in their production. This means that they are designed to last longer, reducing the amount of waste created from buying a new pair of school shoes every year.
Conclusion – Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the right school shoes for your child, sustainable options that consider the natural world should be top of your list. Sustainable school shoes are an important step in reducing environmental damage and minimising waste. Natural materials, durability and the ability to recycle or repair are all key features to look for when it comes to buying sustainable footwear. Not only can this help create a more sustainable future for our children, but they can also provide a comfortable and long-lasting choice for their feet.
Making small sustainable choices can make a big difference, and it all starts with the right school shoes. By investing in sustainable options, you can be sure that your child’s feet will be well protected and the environment will benefit too. With so many stylish and sustainable school shoe options available, it’s never been easier to make the right choice for your child and for the planet.
If you want to level up your sustainability game then take our Sustainable Living Quiz to learn about your sustainability habits!
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