Time to buy a new pair of shoes?

What would you consider first - the brand? the latest design? comfort? durability? value for money? quality of material used? …. and should we also include 'sustainability' into the mix?

Not forgetting that buying the right shoes is an investment in foot health.

There's been a growing focus on sustainability within footwear industry. Many brands work to reduce pollution and carbon footprint in the production; claim to use recycled or sustainable materials or packaging ….. what’s your take on shoe that is recyclable, repairable and easy to disassemble?

What does sustainable mean for shoes?

"It is estimated that of the 25m pairs of trainers imported to Australia every year, 90% are not recycled. That’s because recycling is not even a possibility. That dizzying combination of plastic, leather, rubber, foam, metal and adhesives means sneakers could also take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade, making it highly likely almost every trainer you’ve ever owned is still kicking around somewhere.”  Tansy Hoskins, the author of Foot Work: What Your Shoes are Doing to the World.

Intertek's Sustainability services can play a pivotal role in guiding brands toward more eco-friendly practices. By offering expertise in sustainable material sourcing and production processes, Intertek helps companies minimise their environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality standards. Incorporating sustainability into the shoe design process not only benefits the planet but also enhances brand reputation and meets the growing consumer demand for responsible products.

Additional Intertek Resources: 

• https://www.intertek.com/maison/
• https://www.intertek.com/footwear/safety/