Forget just footwear; sneakers have transcended to become self-expression, casual chic, and even collector's items. We all likely have a pair at home - I have two - but little did I know my sneakers require about 360 processing steps to assemble. From sewing and cutting to injection moulding, foaming and heating, these processes are energy intensive, and you can probably guess … carbon intense.

Unfortunately, sneakers have one of the heaviest footprints of everything we wear because they require a lot of energy to produce, are made largely from virgin plastic and never break down.

Sustainable sneakers

With the rising demand for more sustainable products (go you!), footwear brands have started to take account of their products’ environmental impact and are competing to produce ever more sustainable sneakers. 

Allbirds pioneered the movement with innovative wool sneakers, and others are following suit. From algae and pineapple husks to bioplastics and recycled waste, innovative sustainable materials are taking centre stage. 

Giving Pre-Loved Kicks a Second Life: Meet New Balance Reconsidered

New Balance launched 'Reconsidered,' a platform where you can find pre-owned, returned, or slightly imperfect shoes at a discounted price. The aim of this initiative is to keep perfectly imperfect good shoes out of landfills and extend their lifespan at an accessible price point.

The products that are sold online have been carefully inspected, cleaned and labelled as 'like new', 'very good' or 'excellent'.

"There are many things that have to shift. Launching Reconsidered is one piece of the puzzle with a program objective to help extend product life for some of our products and get the most from what is already made."- John Stokes (sustainability director at New Balance)

For now, Reconsidered is only available in the US, but we will be the first to let you know when this is available in Australia! 

Be a Conscious Sneakerhead: Your Choices Matter

The next time you lace up, remember the 360 steps that were taken to make your kicks. Take care of them, sing for them, opt for sustainable options where possible, and resell or donate them at the end of their life. You can find some resell places we love here!

With love, 

Ellie x