Wednesday 3 September 2014

Buy Eco Friendly Shoes

Buy Eco Friendly Shoes


Reducing your carbon footprint can start at the source: your feet. Buying eco friendly shoes is another way of helping the environment while improving the quality of life for both consumers and workers. By incorporating animal rights, sustainability and fair labor practices into their design, eco friendly shoes will help you take your first steps to greening your fashion.


Instructions


1. Do online research. Several major retailers such as Patagonia, Terra Plana, and Veja produce environmentally friendly shoes for a variety of lifestyles. Even though a small portion of the industry is considered eco-conscious, the supplies are in high demand and a growing number of stores carry at least some types of "green" footwear in their stores. Research companies and their products online to find your best options.


2. If going organic, look for the label. Keep an eye out for the USDA label before purchasing your shoes since all valid certifying agencies must comply with USDA standards in order to be officially labeled organic. The label ensures that your product is make from materials grown and produced without chemicals and unnatural ingredients, and the health of the ecosystems where they were farmed were also taken into account. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the various levels of organic (not everything is 100%) so that you buy a product that's up to your standards.


3. Go even greener with vegan. Taking eco friendly shoes to the next level is té casan, Natalie Portman's organic shoe line. Since animals use up much more energy and resources than plants, choosing footwear made completely of vegan materials is a great way to help the environment. Best yet, té casan is a much more stylish and chic option for women than traditional eco shoes, so its popularity and availability are undeniable.


4. Embrace fair trade. Most of the world's farmers are treated unethically, but fair trade means just that: fair wages, fair working conditions, and fair treatment of the environment. You are guaranteed workers received the minimum payment plus an additional premium for certified organic products, and they are also eligible for pre-harvest credit. Fair trade also allows farmers to enjoy freedom of association and safe working conditions with no forced child labor permitted. And even better? The farming practices omit toxic chemicals and GMOs in favor of environmentally sustainable methods.


5. Check out outdoor sporting goods stores. Retailers such as REI, LL Bean and Eastern Mountain Sports are dedicated to exploring the great outdoors, and as a result are usually intent on incorporating eco-friendly products and practices in their business models. Cut your shopping time in half by heading straight to one of these stores for durable and rugged organic shoe options for all seasons.

Tags: friendly shoes, fair trade, much more, organic shoe, that your, working conditions