Step lightly on Earth with biodegradable shoes
Just in time for Earth Day this April 22, Ma Petite Shoe in Hampden plans to begin carrying some hipster eco-friendly shoes that will help you tread a little lighter on the planet.
The sneakers are from the Bio-D Collection from Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Simple shoes and made from biodegradable and organic materials.
The folks at the store describe the shoes this way: They feature biodegradable soles and incorporate rubber, plastic and EVA (foaming materials) that are manufactured using EcoPure, an organic compound that will eventually eat away at the bonds holding these materials together.
This allows the mid-soles and outsoles of the styles, when exposed to the moisture and heat typical of landfills, to biodegrade in 20 years as opposed to the industry average of 1,000 years.
“When we first heard about the concept of biodegradable shoes, we were intrigued," said Susannah Siger, store owner, in a statement. "When we learned more about the technology, that it wasn’t just hype, we immediately wished that all shoes had biodegradable features.”
Women get blue with hot pink detailing. Men get orange with brown and white detailing. The linings also are organic cotton are uppers are suede. Sneakers on the Simple Web site run from $55-$80.
Are you cool enough for these shoes?
Photo courtesy of the store
Comments
Very Cool! I think more boutiques in Baltimore should sell eco-friendly shoes and clothing.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 5, 2010 8:53 AM
My wife has been weearing Simple brand shoes for a few years now. They are affordable, comfortable. I wear a brand called Terra-Sole, also organic, vegan, affordable, comfortable, etc. These are fantastic alternatives to the big brands!
Posted by: frank | March 5, 2010 9:46 AM
Yeah, I've been wearing biodegradeble shoes and clothing that biodegrade in about 20 years for about...20 years or so. Woah- I'm naked!
Posted by: kenneth the menneth | March 5, 2010 1:21 PM
I picked up a pair of these on a whim. They were affordable and are honestly some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.
Posted by: HamdenJames | March 6, 2010 7:00 PM
Biodegradable plastic and packaging is a modern necessity for our ever-endangered environment.
Now PLA has been used to line the indoors of Paper Cups in place of the oil based lining additional usually used, create Plastic Cups, Plates, Carrier Bags, Food Packaging and even Nappies.
Eco Pure is our proprietary blend of organic materials that does not modify the base resin to which it is added.
Thanks a lot for your information
Posted by: Collins Pt. | August 26, 2010 6:05 AM
Very informative!!
In recent times, the world is becoming cognizant about the hazardous effects of plastic bags on the environment.
Also PLA has been used to line the inside of Paper Cups in place of the oil based lining more commonly used, create Plastic ( bioplastics ) Cups, Cutlery, Carrier Bags, Food Packaging and even Nappies.
Thanks,
Posted by: Collins Pt | September 22, 2010 10:55 PM
These sneakers are decent, the price is ok too, but how am I going to wear them for 20 years waiting for them to biodegrade?
Posted by: iconicmania | October 29, 2010 12:49 PM