Bamboo. Sugarcane. Cork. These are not what we’d think of as traditional ingredients for sneakers, but they’re some of the core raw materials that Brazilian shoe brand Cariuma uses for its environmentally sustainable footwear. According to figures generated by an independent, third-party consultant, its new Ibi slip-on sneaker is the lowest-carbon-footprint sneaker ever.
Cariuma’s signature shoe, the Ibi, was a finalist in the World Changing Ideas Consumer Products category in 2020; this year, it released a slip-on version of the shoe, which has a carbon footprint of 5.48 grams, according to an independent group commissioned by Cariuma to conduct a study. Where bio-based ingredients can’t yet be used, the necessary plastics and packaging are made from fully recycled materials.
On the podcast, they discuss how sustainable methods don’t mean they have to sacrifice performance or style. They chose bamboo because it’s strong, yet light and flexible, allowing for durability and movement. With regard to style, the Ibi’s shape is designed to be vintage and timeless, not driven by trends, meaning the company doesn’t have to rush to prepare for launch dates of seasonal lines.
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