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“One of the largest pollutants in the ocean is polyurethane from flip-flops that have been washed or thrown into rivers and flow into the ocean.” Dr. Stephen Mayfield, Biology Professor, UC San Diego.
Flip-flops are the world’s most popular shoe: 3 billion pairs of plastic flip-flops are sold every year throughout the world.
Avoid conventional flip-flops made with toxic dyes, glues, and polluting materials. They are made with toxic and synthetic materials or other petroleum-derived materials.
❌ Plastic: Environmentally harmful and made of petroleum-based foam. Avoid plastic flip-flops made with polyurethane, a petroleum-derived, toxic, and highly polluting!
❌ Chrome-tanned leather: 90% of leather is chrome tanned. Chrome tanning is a widely used method in the leather industry, involving the treatment of animal hides with chromium salts, primarily chromium(III) sulfate. Toxic wastewater from tanneries can contaminate local ecosystems
❌ PFAS: they contain toxic PFAS that are not only harmful to you but alos to the environment. They are found especially in waterproof footwear
❌ Toxic dyes: toxic to the workers and the environment.
Avoid Greenwashing flip-flops made by brands that pretend to be sustainable, eco-friendly, and made with safer materials when they are not. They will use marketing tricks to convince you to buy their products. It is a marketing tactic designed to mislead customers into buying their products.
Many come with vegan leather alternatives, bringing more plastic to the world:
❌ PVC: Most vegan leathers today are made from PVC, made with petroleum. PVC is, for this reason, harmful to the environment.
❌ PU is another synthetic vegan or faux leather. By definition, PU stands for Polyurethane, a plastic polymer derived from petroleum. Even less than PVC, PU still requires petroleum.
Here I collected the most sustainable, eco-friendly flip-flops crafted from biodegradable materials, such as:💦🐟🐠🐬
Shop with my links to support my research!💖
10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
5% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
Earth Runners Organic Sandals
🌿 These natural sandals are made with organic and natural ingredients, plus they are grounding!
They offer a minimalist design, organic material, and grounded conductive laces™ that allow the feet to engage in earthing, or grounding.
🌿 Earthing has many benefits, including healthy circadian biology through its normalizing action (or 'normalizing effect') on cortisol hormone secretion and blood flow, helping lower inflammation, improve sleep, and speed recovery.
Created by an engineer, this design allows for running with great stability. These natural sandals allow us to maintain our connection to the earth, while allowing us to operate and explore even in the wildest landscape this planet has to offer.
MATERIAL: GOTS Certified Organic Cotton, Earth Grip (Moisture-wicking Canvas, GOTS Certified Organic Small Batch Dye
🌿Biankina makes amazing shoe wear!
These Vegan Leather Cork Sandals are offered in three colors.
These organic flip-flops are crafted with sustainable materials: recycled microfiber vegan uppers and the cork midsole.
Cork is sourced sustainably from the bark layer of the cork oak.
It offers natural shock absorption and excellent cushioning.
Great for this spring or summer. Pack them for sustainable trips!
These shoes are sustainable, effortlessly chic, made with biodegradable, recyclable jute fiber that is carbon positive and insulates to reduce heat conductivity. They are handcrafted by Spanish skilled artisans
MATERIAL: GRS-certified recycled fibers and Natural cork sole
🌿 Quince Italian Leather Flip Flops
These sustainable flip flops are made with a non-toxic 100% Italian cow leather upper and lining
They are designed with supple Italian leather; its refined, slender straps create an elegant, barely-there silhouette that feels as light as it looks.
It features a plush, cushioned footbed that offers indulgent comfort, while the smooth leather insole delivers a polished finish with every step.
Crafted with leather from a Gold-rated Leather Working Group (LWG) tannery, which promotes sustainable practices including reduced water and energy usage, responsible waste management, and the elimination of harmful substances.
MATERIAL: 100% Italian cow leather upper and lining
🌱Indosoles sustainable flip flops are made in Indonesia.
These eco-friendly flip flops are made wth natural and recycled materials, locally sourced in Indonesia.
Crafted from Natural Rubber with Vegan uppers and Recycled tire-sol technology, these are very Sturdy and Waterproof Flip Flops
Custom made, Eco-Friendly (using less Water and Dye) Fiber Uppers, coupled with a String Webbing Tape Thong, complete the ESSNTLS' Modern, Minimal Look
MATERIAL: 30% Natural Rubber, 30% Recyceld EVA, 40% EVA Sole: 100% Recycled Tire. Straps: Custom made fiber using less water & dye
🌱I used this brand for years. I use them every day. I have in them in several colors. I keep one pair in my organic gym bag. I bring them with me during my travels and wear them at the beach.
Feelgoodz features the traditional rubber tapping process of Thai artisans that gives their footwear its signature spongy comfort. Sourced from local rubber farm, making the premium flip-flops the best of their kind and perfect for everyday wear, striking the perfect balance between comfort, quality and durability.
Feelgoodz process supports rubber farm co-ops and artisans in Thailand, and they are committed to fair trade practices and conscious sourcing to help celebrate the craft of global artisans and to produce products.
MATERIAL: 100% natural, biodegradable, and vegan rubber.