Know The Benefits Of Vegan Shoes For The Environment
Vegan footwear is making gigantic waves across the globe. What started as a trend is now a significant part of the new-age world of fashion. The vegan footwear market was valued at $157,898.2 million in 2020 and is estimated to reach $300,199.6 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period.
These impressive numbers are a result of the key advantages that vegan shoes bring to businesses and consumers alike. Most importantly, they are a part of the revolutionary change that will help keep the planet greener and cleaner.
The list featuring the benefits of vegan shoes for the environment is a long one. Before we explore the many vegan shoes’ advantages, let’s better understand what vegan shoes are.
The material whose production does not involve causing harm to animals is vegan. Vegan shoes are made from a material that looks and feels much like leather but is made from resources that do not originate from animals. As such, it is also called faux leather, pleather, or synthetic leather. The common alternative materials used are PU (polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
Top 5 Benefits Of Vegan Shoes
Thanks to vegan shoes, footwear fashion no longer has to come at the price of a heavy conscience. Let’s take a look at how they can bring a host of benefits to the table. These advantages are sure to vouch for the fact that a sleek pair of vegan shoes can not only speak for your sense of style but also allow you to be a part of an ethical cause supporting sustainability:
Genuine leather is a by-product of the meat industry that thrives on animal cruelty. In addition, producing leather from animal skin involves multiple complicated processes. These processes are fueled by huge amounts of energy and harmful chemicals like mineral salts, formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, and various oils, dyes, and finishes.
Vegan leather makes for a great alternative to genuine leather as it brings you the same quality, without any animal cruelty. For example, Ethik’s material is produced as high-quality man-made leather with the structure and functionality of natural leather through the application of chemical technology. The material is made to look good, and feel good as well.
2. Use Of Biodegradable Or Recyclable Raw Materials:
Genuine leather for shoes is produced from the skin of animals like kangaroos, elephants, zebras, bison, crocodiles, alligators, snakes, and more. On the other hand, vegan leather is produced from synthetic materials like PU (polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It can also be produced from highly biodegradable, plant-based raw materials like cactus leather, apple leather, Piñatex (made from pineapple leaf fibers), cork, other fruit waste, and recycled plastic.
Brands are now paying closer attention to their business practices to make good on their promise of sustainability. They are trying to develop improved PU as it is less damaging than PVC. They are also making active efforts to reduce toxins released during the manufacturing process.
3. Less Waste & Pollution:
Producing leather from animal skin involves using huge amounts of energy and harmful chemicals like mineral salts, formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, and various oils, dyes, and finishes. Each step of the production process generates industrial waste in one form or another. When these chemicals are released into the atmosphere, they lead to pollution.
Buying vegan shoes contributes to reducing waste and pollution. Synthetic materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and other poly-composite microfibers leave a far less environmental footprint than animal-derived materials. A 2018 sustainability report developed by Kering notes that the impact of vegan leather production can be one-third lower than that of animal-based leather.
4. Supporting Brands That Have Adopted Sustainability:
Vegan shoes are not just a footwear choice, but an investment in a greater cause. It is a steady step towards welcoming an eco-friendly future; towards being a part of the solution. The more consumers choose to buy vegan shoes, the more brands will be inclined towards adopting sustainable practices and following them with utmost sincerity.
At times, choosing to buy organic or vegan products can also mean supporting local businesses as they strive more to do good for the community and its culture. Supporting and uplifting brands that follow ethical and humane processes throughout all phases of footwear production phase is an impressive display of how we are moving forward on a sustainable path collectively.
5. Value For Money:
Given the rise in demand, the prices of vegan shoes are now economical. As such, you can find affordable vegan shoe pairs developed via sustainable practices. With modern shoe-making methods at our disposal, we focus on comfort and intent to guarantee the finest fit and quality. What sets our shoes apart are the sleek designs, iconic styles, intricate patterns, and precise linings. Our microfiber material can be stamped, perforated, embossed, printed, laminated, and dyed in almost any color.
Apart from featuring an elegant exterior, it is more durable and lighter as compared to real leather. It is also water-resistant and flexible. The material is highly versatile in the sense that it can be used for shoes, bags, school bags, sporting goods, jackets, sofas, and more.
Shop With Ethik - Buy Vegan Shoes Online For Men
Embark on your vegan fashion journey and truly embrace its many benefits with Ethik - one of the leading vegan leather brands in India. Built with sheer effort and a keen eye for each detail, every shoe is a marvel to behold. Manufactured in technically advanced factories around the world, our material has undergone consistent improvisations over the last 40 years. It has consistently won accolades and awards for its technology and quality. Here are five of our most sought-after pairs of vegan shoes:
Our non-leather shoes are intricately crafted, which makes them reveal their beauty with time. In addition, the environmental impact of shoe production is relatively low thanks to the ethical manufacturing practices and other key initiatives taken by its manufacturers. If you are looking to buy vegan shoes online, browse through exclusive non-leather collections on our website.