Sustainable soles: on the way to more environmentally friendly rubber

The soles are among the first criteria that we notice on a pair of shoes. If fairly sporty models must have flexible soles to cushion all movements, those with a fairly urban or elegant style can wear thicker soles. There is something for everyone, for every budget and for every need. Generally, the production of soles for sneakers revolves around one main material: rubber. However, the use of this material still requires the implementation of certain polluting processes and the use of chemical products which do not always respect the living.

The solution tends to be oriented towards the use of non-harvested products, whether animal or forestry. In this sense, durable soles represent a convincing alternative. At MEEKO, we are committed to contributing to the protection of wildlife through our products . What are the different components of a sole? How are the soles of MEEKO shoes made? The answer in this article.

The different components of a sole

As a reminder, the raw materials used in the manufacture of a sole depend on the use of the latter. There are for example:

• The animal leather soles that generally adorn the shoes,
• Soles made with synthetic materials, generally used on running sneakers,
• The soles which are made of leather and rubber (rubber),

The soles made from rubber like for sneakers.

Update on the insoles present on the current market

Generally, the soles of shoes sold on the market are made of a synthetic or natural material. Rubber, a natural material from a tree called hevea, is mainly used in the manufacture of soles. It is very popular for its natural resistance to the different uses that a shoe can be subject to. But following a strong demand and a culture of excessive consumption sown by the big brands, this raw material is becoming less and less accessible. It was then that the idea of ​​exploiting virgin forests with the aim of harvesting even more latex came about.

But there comes a time when trees are no longer enough and this commodity takes a long time to regenerate, manufacturers have developed synthetic rubber, a less expensive alternative. It is a result of the exploitation of polluting hydrocarbons, especially oil. The manufacturing process is identical to that of plastic, but the result obtained is a malleable gum, ready to be used in all ways. Moreover, large industries have not hesitated to opt for this innovative solution so to speak, in order to reduce their budget.

As for leather, it is also one of the materials most used in the manufacture of soles. However, for it to be easy to handle, it must undergo various processes that require the use of chemical substances. Moreover, when supply does not follow demand, producers fall into a spiral of mass breeding, particularly affecting the well-being of the animals from which the material will be taken.

What type of sole should I choose?

You may be asking yourself this question once you get an idea of ​​the different measures some factories are taking in order to increase their production. From now on, it is possible to opt for a cleaner and more sustainable solution than animal or vegetable matter exploited excessively. Thus, when you buy a pair of sneakers, you pay more attention to the origin of its components and the materials with which it is made.

It is quite natural that the choice of the sole of your shoes commits only you. But in an eco-responsible approach and with the aim of informing the general public through our mode of communication, we have some advice to give you.

You can first check the components of the sole in question. When a brand is clean, it is completely transparent about the origin and provenance of the products used to manufacture its shoes. Also remember to check the manufacturing process itself if you can find out about this. At MEEKO, for example, we work with production sites powered by renewable energies. This may be a fairly basic point for some, but for us it is a big step that we take in order to ensure that our products are respectful of the environment from the harvesting of the raw materials to the processing of the latter. .

The benefits of opting for a durable sole

Far be it from us to discriminate against the big brands in their approaches and their manufacturing process, we simply think that it is preferable, both for humans and for the surrounding environment, to opt for insoles. more respectful of life. For us, a sustainable sole does not contain above all any material of animal origin. It is also composed of raw materials not derived from deforestation. Among other things, we add recycled materials in order to give new life to materials already used.

Thus, we believe that a sustainable sole can be made of natural rubber and recycled rubber. In this way, we contribute to the reduction of waste produced by the use of shoes while minimizing the environmental impact that the exploitation of natural latex could have.

Opting for a sole made from this mix also contributes to the protection of wildlife by preserving the natural habitat of animals. Indeed, by reducing the effects of deforestation on our own scale, we are also contributing to the protection of the animals that live there. It is also one more step towards the preservation of endangered species. In addition to providing part of our turnover and our time to organizations that work in this direction, we are convinced that this practice has a positive impact on these natural spaces. By associating recycling, we make sure to reduce waste at our level in order to contribute to the overall improvement of the environment.