Sustainable Footwear: Changing the Way Shoes Are Made and Used

Highlights: 

• Introduction 
• Brands are rethinking shoe materials 
• Indian brands are joining the shift 

Sustainable footwear is slowly becoming a notable area of focus for footwear brands across the globe. What used to be a niche offering is now receiving attention from larger companies and smaller startups alike. But unlike general consumer interest stories, in the business settings, the conversation is becoming more technical and product-focused. From materials and supply chain models to recycling loops and manufacturing systems, the footwear industry is trying to rework its very foundation. 

Exploring Raw Materials and Waste 

The biggest shift in sustainable footwear has been around materials. Traditionally, shoes have been made using synthetic fabrics, rubber, plastic, and leather, many of which are neither biodegradable nor recyclable. The industry has started moving away from these materials and is exploring plant-based, recycled, or low-impact alternatives. 

Several global brands have invested heavily in the development of closed-loop systems. This means a pair of shoes can be returned at the end of its life, broken down, and reused in making new ones. Adidas and Nike have taken visible steps in this direction. Their goal has not just been to reduce waste but to rethink what a shoe can be made of and how long it should last before becoming waste again. 

For example, Adidas’ “Made To Be Remade” initiative allows customers to return used shoes which are then washed, shredded, and processed into material for new pairs. Nike, too, has been developing circular design systems, focusing on shoes that can be easily taken apart and recycled after use. These developments suggest that brands are rethinking the basic components of a shoe, not just its aesthetic or performance qualities. According to Allied Market Research, the sustainable footwear industry accounted for $7.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $13.3 billion by 2030, citing a CAGR of 5.7% during 2021-2030. 

Smaller Players Driving Big Ideas 

Thaely, a young brand from India, has built its identity around sustainable sneakers. The brand uses plastic waste and discarded bags to manufacture fashionable shoes. According to Business Today, Metro Brands invested ₹26 crore for a minority stake in Thaely, signaling strong corporate interest in the sustainable design models being developed by smaller players. 

This kind of investment shows how innovation is not limited to big labs and corporate campuses. Instead, there’s a growing network of small-scale operations experimenting with everything from banana fibers to mushroom leather. They’re not just offering eco-friendly shoes; they’re creating new production systems that could be scaled across regions. 

The challenge, however, lies in managing production costs, consistency in material sourcing, and scalability. Many sustainable materials behave differently from traditional ones, requiring changes to design, stitching, and even warehouse storage conditions. So, for business stakeholders, the conversation is less about whether sustainable footwear is trendy and more about how feasible it is to integrate it into existing product pipelines. 

The Role of Design in Product Lifecycle 

One of the more overlooked elements in sustainable footwear is design; not just in terms of appearance, but in how a shoe is structured. Footwear design is now being approached with end-of-life in mind. This means designing shoes that can be easily dismantled, without glued layers or mixed materials that are hard to separate during recycling. 

Circular design strategies also include fewer parts, better fitting shapes that reduce the need for extra padding, and limited use of virgin plastic or rubber. Many sustainable shoes are now designed using monomaterial concepts—where the whole shoe is made from a single type of recyclable material. That makes the recycling process much easier and more efficient. 

Some companies are even exploring modular designs, where parts like soles, uppers, and insoles can be replaced separately without discarding the entire shoe. This could be especially useful for workwear or performance footwear, where wear and tear is uneven. For product developers, this introduces a whole new approach to design and functionality, where the shoe’s lifecycle is extended without compromising comfort or safety. 

Developments in the Indian Landscape 

India is slowly entering this space, although most efforts are still in the early stages. The Outlook India article highlights that the Indian market, while price-sensitive, is beginning to see demand for green products among younger urban buyers. More importantly, the interest from Indian brands and retailers in working with recycled materials is starting to grow. 

Brands operating in India now face a dual challenge. On one hand, they need to meet cost expectations of a wide customer base, and on the other, they are investing in infrastructure for material recovery and reuse. The Thaely-Metro Brands partnership signifies a beginning in this direction, where a traditional brand collaborates with a sustainability-focused startup to explore new production and design models. 

This collaborative approach might pave the way for other manufacturers and retailers to test similar partnerships. It allows for knowledge transfer and lowers the risk that comes with developing completely new materials or manufacturing methods in-house. 

Finishing up 

The world of sustainable footwear is no longer limited to just eco-friendly marketing slogans. It is evolving into a detailed system of design, material science, and manufacturing innovation. Larger companies are restructuring their supply chains while smaller startups are challenging the way shoes are conceptualized and created. For those involved in product development, sourcing, or design, sustainable footwear offers not just a new category, but an entirely new way of thinking about production and performance. The shift is happening slowly, but it is starting to influence how shoes are made, sold, and ultimately disposed of. 

Contact our specialists or an in-depth look at the latest trends shaping the sustainable footwear industry. 

✍ **𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓: Koyel Ghosh 
 

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