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What Makes Sustainable Shoes, Sustainable?
You see the word ‘Sustainability’ everywhere, but what does this truly entail? Sustainable, by definition, means “able to be maintained at a certain rate or level” and “able to be upheld or defended.” Over the years, the word has picked up an environmental connotation, but we haven’t lost the heart of its original meaning. In fact, these separate but intertwined definitions are a pillar, informing the way we design, manufacture, and scale our business. It means pursuing steady, responsible growth. Simply put, we’re making things in a way that's better for people and the planet. That's why we design our comfortable, timeless, made-to-last sneakers. We do that by placing thoughtful, planet-friendly practices at the heart of what we do—starting from design and materials sourcing; to our chosen partners, production model and shipping; to our give-back initiatives.
What Makes Sustainable Shoes, Sustainable?
You see the word ‘Sustainability’ everywhere, but what does this truly entail? Sustainable, by definition, means “able to be maintained at a certain rate or level” and “able to be upheld or defended.” Over the years, the word has picked up an environmental connotation, but we haven’t lost the heart of its original meaning. In fact, these separate but intertwined definitions are a pillar, informing the way we design, manufacture, and scale our business. It means pursuing steady, responsible growth. Simply put, we’re making things in a way that's better for people and the planet. That's why we design our comfortable, timeless, made-to-last sneakers. We do that by placing thoughtful, planet-friendly practices at the heart of what we do—starting from design and materials sourcing; to our chosen partners, production model and shipping; to our give-back initiatives.
Sneaker Design for a Smaller Footprint
There is a conscious strategy behind sustainable design; namely, create something that lasts! Classic, timeless style ensures you’ll wear your pair for longer. All-day comfort and high-quality, premium materials mean your sneakers will “live” with you, and providing lasting durability. Another (slightly more technical) strategy is to reduce the number of pieces used in construction. Our innovative IBI sneakers are made using only three pieces for the upper, and a single-piece outsole!
Sneaker Design for a Smaller Footprint
There is a conscious strategy behind sustainable design; namely, create something that lasts! Classic, timeless style ensures you’ll wear your pair for longer. All-day comfort and high-quality, premium materials mean your sneakers will “live” with you, and providing lasting durability. Another (slightly more technical) strategy is to reduce the number of pieces used in construction. Our innovative IBI sneakers are made using only three pieces for the upper, and a single-piece outsole!
Premium, Natural Materials
We curate our materials in order to yield a smaller footprint, thinking about where the source is, how it’s grown and how the raw materials are extracted. We use materials like bamboo, sugarcane, organic cotton, and recycled plastics to create our best-selling sneakers. For example: our best-selling OCA sneaker is made with an organic cotton upper and a natural rubber outsole, sourced via ethical “tapping” (extracting a milky sap). This is a low-intervention method to preserve the health of the tree. The vegan insoles you’ll find in many of our sneakers are created with natural substitutes for synthetic materials, like cork and mamona oil. Our bamboo—used to create the innovative knit of our IBI sneaker—is cut from the stalk, never the root, and grown with minimal irrigation.
We can go on… but you get the picture.
Our materials achieve a higher standard with the help of sustainable farming and sourcing, and third-party review. For example: our bamboo is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, OEKO-TEX, and the Organic Crop Improvement Association.
We can go on… but you get the picture.
Our materials achieve a higher standard with the help of sustainable farming and sourcing, and third-party review. For example: our bamboo is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, OEKO-TEX, and the Organic Crop Improvement Association.
Premium, Natural Materials
We curate our materials in order to yield a smaller footprint, thinking about where the source is, how it’s grown and how the raw materials are extracted. We use materials like bamboo, sugarcane, organic cotton, and recycled plastics to create our best-selling sneakers. For example: our best-selling OCA sneaker is made with an organic cotton upper and a natural rubber outsole, sourced via ethical “tapping” (extracting a milky sap). This is a low-intervention method to preserve the health of the tree. The vegan insoles you’ll find in many of our sneakers are created with natural substitutes for synthetic materials, like cork and mamona oil. Our bamboo—used to create the innovative knit of our IBI sneaker—is cut from the stalk, never the root, and grown with minimal irrigation.
We can go on… but you get the picture.
Our materials achieve a higher standard with the help of sustainable farming and sourcing, and third-party review. For example: our bamboo is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, OEKO-TEX, and the Organic Crop Improvement Association.
We can go on… but you get the picture.
Our materials achieve a higher standard with the help of sustainable farming and sourcing, and third-party review. For example: our bamboo is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, OEKO-TEX, and the Organic Crop Improvement Association.
Fair Labor
Our success relies on our people, from employees and partners to customers. We seek to nourish and support the people working behind the scenes. Fair labor practices provide safe and healthy working conditions, as well as fair wages for the work being done. Here at Cariuma, we enforce a strict code of conduct, from HQ to our factory partners. When you shop for our eco-friendly shoes, you are encouraging supportive, sustainable workplaces around the world!
Fair Labor
Our success relies on our people, from employees and partners to customers. We seek to nourish and support the people working behind the scenes. Fair labor practices provide safe and healthy working conditions, as well as fair wages for the work being done. Here at Cariuma, we enforce a strict code of conduct, from HQ to our factory partners. When you shop for our eco-friendly shoes, you are encouraging supportive, sustainable workplaces around the world!
Giveback with Impact
Our Brazil-based reforestation program has the goal of restoring the biodiversity and carbon-capturing potential of rainforests. The process is inherently collaborative, and our team comprises biologists, forestry specialists, Indigenous community partners, and several, deeply passionate members of the Cariuma team. True sustainability can only be achieved when we work together! When you support us, we support you through our efforts to leave the planet better than we found it.
Giveback with Impact
Our Brazil-based reforestation program has the goal of restoring the biodiversity and carbon-capturing potential of rainforests. The process is inherently collaborative, and our team comprises biologists, forestry specialists, Indigenous community partners, and several, deeply passionate members of the Cariuma team. True sustainability can only be achieved when we work together! When you support us, we support you through our efforts to leave the planet better than we found it.
Shop CARIUMA Shoes
OCA Low
SALVAS
IBI
IBI Slip-On
CATIBA Pro
The Vallely
Shop CARIUMA Shoes
OCA Low
SALVAS
IBI
IBI Slip-On
CATIBA Pro
The Vallely
