March Marks B Corp Month
3/30/2023
We Go Beyond Shoes
As Australia’s first B Corp-certified footwear label, we’re incredibly proud to be a part of a global group of like-minded businesses that stand by the highest social and environmental standards for people and the planet.
Truth is, making shoes pollutes our earth. We want them to be durable (and comfy!) but we need them to eventually break down. In a perfect world (one we hope is not too far away), our shoes would be composed of completely natural materials that would decompose organically and add nutrients back into the soil at the end of life.
While we’re far from this, we’re constantly on the hunt for bio-based materials that don’t harm our planet. Let’s get into our highlights.
B.plantfoam™
The same support you know and love, but better for the planet.
Our B.plantfoam™ footbed is made from 72% plant-based materials (USDA Certified Biobased). With a carbon footprint of 3.85 kg CO2e, it reduces CO2 emissions by 70% when compared to traditional petroleum-based footbeds.
By June 2023, all newly manufactured footbeds will be B.plantfoam™.
Sugarcane
We continue our product research to increase the bio-content of our shoes.
Sourced from Brazil, sugarcane is a fully renewable resource that grows quickly, relies on rainwater to thrive (not irrigation) and removes carbon from the atmosphere in the process.
You’ll find sugarcane in our midsoles.
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FSC-Certified Natural Rubber
Natural rubber is a renewable resource that’s kind to our earth, though only if it is sourced sustainably. When collected from uncertified forests, there is a risk it contributes to deforestation and human rights abuses.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies forests to ensure their environments are responsibly managed and meet the highest environmental and social standards. You’ll find FSC-certified natural rubber in a selection of our outsoles.
By January 2024, we aim to have all our newly manufactured natural rubber components FSC-certified.
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rPET
Crafted from post-consumer plastic, rPET is a recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fabric that uses recycled plastic to produce recycled polyester fibre.
The production of recycled polyester requires far fewer resources than new fibres and generates fewer CO2 emissions. You’ll find rPET across our entire range, predominantly in our mesh fabrics, heel counters, toe puffs, ‘Jinzo’, ‘Summerling’ and 'Promethium'.
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Vegetable-Tanned Leather
We’re an official Leather Working Group (LWG) member and purchase 100% of our leathers from LWG-certified suppliers. These tanneries must adhere to a strict protocol, focusing on energy and water usage, waste management, the control of chemicals and more.
In the tanning process for our men’s Portugal range, we use natural materials such as tree bark and fruits to treat the leather, A.K.A vegetable-tanned leather. It's called “vegetable" because of the natural materials used in the tanning process while avoiding nasty chemicals.
Shop Portugal Range
Organic Cotton
Cotton is a natural fibre that produces an extremely durable fabric. Organic cotton is grown without chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides, protecting local habitats and the farmers that grow it. Compared to normal cotton, it requires less water, limits soil erosion and preserves soil quality.
You’ll find our footbed top sheets and laces are crafted from organic cotton.
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Just landed
MIRUM®
Vegan, durable and with a premium feel, MIRUM® is a high-quality, 100% biobased material that raises the bar for sustainability. As this material only uses biobased ingredients and non-toxic chemistry, this range can ultimately rejoin the earth’s nutrient cycle.
We’re proud to say we’re Australia’s first footwear brand to use MIRUM® as a leather alternative.
View Range
The Hunger Project & Children’s Ground
We are proud to support our long-standing partners.
Together with The Hunger Project (THP), we empower the communities of Malawi to help end world hunger. In partnership with Children’s Ground, we empower First Nations children and team up with local artists to showcase their art on our shoes.
Greenfleet
We’re working hard to reduce our carbon emissions throughout our entire business. We have partnered with Greenfleet, committing $95,000 to plant thousands of native species and offset over 5,380 tonnes of carbon. These forests capture carbon emissions to protect our climate, improve soil and water quality and provide habitat for native wildlife.
Carbon offsetting doesn’t prevent global warming, though it does play a large part to play in the overall approach to carbon management.
Watch This Space
Our journey to do better for our planet is far from over. We continue our commitment to supporting our community, implementing conscious business practices and protecting our earth.
Proving there’s a better way to do business, when you shop with us, you’re shopping with a brand that cares. #baredcares