How to become a more sustainable sneakerhead?

Here are 6 ways to be a more sustainable sneakerhead, right now.

If anyone should be aware of their ecological footprint, it's the sneaker lover. The world is slowly coming to terms with the importance of sustainability, and while the climate change protests and the Paris Accords are certainly contributing to this, achieving climate and environmental impact targets is more dependent on adjustment than austerity. Human nature is a powerful thing; people do what makes them happy - and if that means throwing themselves on another pair of sneakers, in defiance of the planet, very often it is.

But this is not necessarily the case.

According to a 2014 StockX survey, the average sneaker lover owns 34 pairs, and that's likely increased since then. Considering how most shoes get from the factory to the front door, those 34 pairs represent a staggering amount of cut leather, burned fuel and polluted water. Boats have crossed the oceans to bring you your shoes. Machines hummed through the night. All this to give both of your feet a month of flexing.

But sneaker culture can be more than just unboxing new pairs. If the permanent cop goes some way to fighting climate change and reducing pollution, being a sneaker fan and protecting the planet don't have to be mutually exclusive. With our passion for sneakers and the planet we share in mind, here's how to become a more sustainable sneakerhead.

Make sneakers last and don't try to follow trends.

It might seem obvious, but it's not just about wearing them until they're completely worn out. Buying classic/timeless models rather than the shoe of the moment gives each pair a longer lifespan, at least in the eyes of the fashion industry.

A handful of silhouettes have dominated sneaker culture since its inception. Buying sneakers is good, but wearing them until they wear out is better. Rinse and repeat. As long as you stay disciplined, buying brands like MEEKO, VEJA, and FAGUO can lessen your impact from chasing (and buying) every fleeting trend. Ultimately you should buy less but better, versatile and durable styles are the way to go.

Take care of your shoes

Once you have classic/timeless models in your hands, take care of them. Wash them regularly to prolong the life of each pair. For leather shoes, consider adding a conditioner to restore life and longevity to delicate materials. For mesh materials, brush gently so you don't snag loose threads. Regardless of a shoe's construction, a bottle of Jason Markk Shoe Soap will come in very handy.

For more tips, check out our guide to cleaning sneakers .

Look for alternative materials

Think of a typical sneaker. A combination of animal leather, mesh and petrochemicals probably comes to mind. In the past, there weren't really any other options. The mall's Foot Locker store, for example, only offered sneakers made from these traditional, energy-guzzling materials, and that's what people bought. But today, greater awareness of sustainability and the variety offered by the internet has spawned entire lines of sneakers made from more eco-friendly alternatives.

When it comes to leather, look for chrome-free, vegetable-tanned or plant-based leathers, such as Appleskin, a durable skin-like textile made from apple scraps that MEEKO uses.

For knits, choose wool or recycled materials when available.

And don't forget the sole. Look for shoes that specifically mention the use of "natural" or "wild" rubber. These materials come from rubber tree crops specifically grown to avoid deforestation. The French sneaker brand Veja uses wild rubber in all its range of shoes, this is the case of MEEKO too.

Check source

Sustainable development is not limited to the use of ecological materials. Sustainability is about the life cycle of the shoe, from the construction of the materials, to the factory, to the foot and beyond. Brands with values ​​need to be transparent about the people and places in their supply chain.

Some brands go further and become certified B companies, or "B Corp". B Corp certification is granted to companies that adopt certain standards of social and environmental performance, including a legal obligation to consider the impact of their decisions on the environment. Allbirds and Veja are for example B Corp brands, MEEKO will become so during its rise.

Adopt the second-hand market

New shoes do not necessarily mean "new for the world". Sites such as StockX, Wethenew, and Kikikickz feature thousands of used pairs looking for their next owner. Most of these e-commerce players operate from so-called "deadstock" pairs.

Buying second-hand rather than new means voting with your euros against excessive production. While the smell of new sneakers is irreplaceable, replacing even half of those 34 pairs with second-hand shoes can help reduce your individual impact on the world.

On the other hand, do you have good quality sneakers that collect dust? Take them to the nearest thrift store or donate them to a sneaker-focused charity. Some brands recover them at the end of their life to use them for new sneakers (soles, etc.).

Give a second life to your damaged sneakers

Some brands recover them at the end of their life to use them for new sneakers (manufacture of soles, etc.). This is a good opportunity to participate in a virtuous phenomenon of recycling. In any case, at MEEKO, we encourage it!