Producing Style

   The carbon footprint of most shoes is staggering compared to the foot they cradle. Often materials are sourced in one country, staged in another, constructed in a third and packed in yet another before being bulk crated and shipped to their country of destination. On average, imported shoes and their associated components have been transported over 11,000 miles before they even reach their port of call. Fair manufacturers preserve the tradition of handcrafted shoes making skills in the USA using local materials and providing good jobs for our local community. They actively participate in the program of the efforts to stay on top of opportunities for improvements in the production processes and raw materials. In their workshops they do not use any dangerous chemicals or dyes in their manufacturing processes. The manufacturers reuse, recycle and reduce whenever possible. All recyclable items are recycled on a regular basis (paper, glass, plastic, cardboard, metals, pop cans) decreasing the garbage load and supporting recycling efforts. All shoe exchanges are returned using the original box to conserve resources. Such manufacturers participate in a special disposal program for spent fluorescent lights, which contain mercury. They purchase and use non-toxic cleaning products for use in the store. The footwear industry is one of the worst polluting in the world, with mass production factories emitting airborne and toxic chemical effluents while depending heavily on petroleum based components. Over 99.9% of the shoes purchased in the USA and Canada are imported from Asia or South America. Very often their manufacturers make footwear with unhealthy and/or polluting processes and unfair labor practices of toxic materials. The average shoes in North America or Europe has been shipped over 11,000 miles before it even reaches central distribution points, further reducing the "greenness" of shoes options available today.