Photo: OAT

The problem with shoes is that while we can’t do without them, we don’t really know what to do with them when they’re worn out. Recycling shoes is an option in the UK if you visit a drop-off point (which few of us do), as is giving them away to charity (again, which few of us do). How much easier, though, if you could just bury them in the garden? Enter OAT shoes, which are 100 per cent biodegradable.

Amsterdam-based company OAT Shoes is a new initiative in shoe design that combines style trends with biodegradable products for trainers that look good and don’t leave a mark on the environment when they’re worn out. Rather than throwing them away, you can literally bury them in your garden or turn them into compost.

Making green choices easier

Making green choices isn’t always easy. It can mean paying more for products, sacrificing style for looks and not getting the functionality you want from a product. When we choose our shoes we seldom think of their ethical implications. We think about what they look like, and how they feel when worn.

According to OAT’s website, ‘Considering the amount of sexy trainers out there, odds are style is what makes the difference and we can’t really blame you, because that’s how we choose our shoes. Still, we don’t agree with the situation: we want to be able to choose green and style. And since that doesn’t seem to exist, we decided to take the first step with OAT Shoes.’

Green, and stylish

Leaders in the sustainable fashion industry have long been saying that consumers will only make a move toward more ethical choices when ‘green’ and ‘stylish’ are synonymous. Labels like Amana, Beyond Skin, Howies, and now, OAT Shoes, are creating eco-friendly designs that get this balance just right.

Tags: environmentally friendly, fashion, shoes