Making eco-friendly decisions can be tricky. We want to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and slow the spread of microplastic. But as much as we try to tread lightly on the earth, we still need to wear shoes and clothes and occasionally drive a gasoline-powered vehicle.
Here, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite companies and products making some of these decisions a little easier. From bags to sweatshirts to yoga mats, you can buy these products knowing that you have the planet’s welfare in mind.
Updated November 2020: We’ve added new items like the Cariuma’s Catiba Pro Sneakers, Madewell’s (Re)sourced Cashmere Turtleneck, and Elate Cosmetics’ Creme Revealer.
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Photograph: Rothy’s
Everyday Flats
Rothy’s Copper Flat
Rothy’s shoes are a WIRED staff favorite. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and come in a bewildering variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. The knit uppers are made of 100 percent post-consumer plastic bottles, and the foam components are made from other recycled shoes. The shoeboxes are also made from 85 percent recycled materials, and—it should go without saying—the boxes are 100 percent recyclable.
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Photograph: Cariuma
Sustainable Skate Shoes
Cariuma Catiba Pro Sneaker
I haven’t worn any other skate shoes besides Vans in over a decade. They are the only shoe for scootering, skateboarding, biking, or walking my dog, so I was pleased to see Cariuma release a great-looking, low-profile, and sustainable option. The company sources natural rubber, cork, and mamona oil, an organic alternative to petroleum, to reduce the use of virgin plastics. The shoe itself feels remarkably sturdy and stable on a board, with additional stitching on the outsole to reinforce weak points and stabilize padding around the ankle. Hopefully, I won’t have to replace them after a year.
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Photograph: Suga
Eco-Friendly Yoga
Suga Mat
Surfers need wet suits to conserve body heat in cold water. So it’s unfortunate that those wet suits are made from petroleum-derived products that never break down. Suga—based in Encinitas, California—collects used and damaged wet suits and repurposes them into dense, comfortable, and attractive yoga mats. As a bonus, the irresistible smell will remind you of the ocean.
