Organic cotton is all over the place these days. You’ll see it in t-shirts, home goods, cotton balls and even in eco-friendly shoes. Organic cotton is grown according to a set of standards that has been developed to certify methods that have less of an impact on the environment. This means no dangerous pesticides, no genetic engineering and the preservation of biodiversity and the soil.

The push for organic cotton is critically important, because according to some sources, it can take 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for one t-shirt. If you consider the sheer amount of cotton clothing, not even counting all of the other things for which cotton is used, you can imagine how many chemicals are going into the soil and into the cotton and ultimately into the earth and into people.

Organic cotton has a huge variety of benefits. Firstly, organic cotton does use genetic engineering or antibiotics, which means that natural strengths in the plants are cultivated and weaker plants are culled out. Consequently, soil health is improved and species diversity is supported. By protecting the soil and the earth, we’ll have better, healthier land and crops and we’ll be preserving the health and success of future generations.

In 2007-2008, according to the Organic Trade Association, the growth of organic cotton increased by 152% and it is produced worldwide, with India now in the lead in terms of production. The only downside to organic cotton is that is costs more to produce, therefore increasing the costs of consumer goods down the line – but using organic cotton not only preserves the environment from chemicals, it also reduces or dependence on oil and petroleum.

How?

Well, other materials used to create clothing like rayon, polyester, acrylic and nylon are all made with petrochemicals. Petrochemicals are derived from petroleum and petroleum comes from oil. So when you support companies that use organic cotton, and when you wear organic cotton, you are supporting the environment in multiple ways.

We’re excited to offer shoes from a number of companies who have committed to using organic cotton in their construction!

• Simple Shoes
• Chaco Shoes
• Patagonia Shoes
• Rocket Dog Shoes

Tune in for the second part of the interview with Tom’s Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie to learn even more about this great environmentally friendly and human friendly shoe company!

And of course, we’ll remind you with these cool Tom’s Split Decision Votee Shoes - get out there an vote!

Groundhog Footwear is one of our newer environmentally friendly shoe brands here at PlanetShoes.com.

Canadian based, Bosco Shoes Sales Limited has been in the shoe business since 1976. Manufacturing and distributing high quality men’s and woman’s footwear for 40+ years means they know everything about shoe making and how it effects the environment. Groundhog through Bos. & Co. is a footwear brand with a carbon conscience, not only producing and shipping shoes with environmentally friendly materials and process, but engaging in sustainable business practices in the making of the shoes as well.

First, the shoes! All of the Groundhog styles are simple, comfortable and a little bit funky, offering Mary Janes, loafers, clogs, flats and even boots. With leather uppers in multiple colors and styles, you’ll find plenty of options from which to choose. All of their leathers are treated with vegetable oil which eliminates dangerous chemicals from the process and from the environment. This also leaves the leather supple and comfortable and with the meticulous stitching and simple but attractive details, these shoes will work with multiple looks and through all the seasons.

The soles of the shoes are made up of several layers or environmentally friendly materials. First, the bottom is constructed of molded natural rubber. This Crepe rubber is actually harvested from the sap of sustainable rubber trees and made into a latex compound to offer good gripping tread and water protection. The footbed itself is made of a coconut matting, entirely biodegradable and offering a firm but comfortable cushion for walking and support. Finally, the footbed on the interior of the shoe is a soft fabric made with bamboo charcoal – also biodegradable and offering one of nature’s most effective anti bacterial and anti odorants! This bamboo charcoal fabric also has excellent insulating attributes making Groundhog boots and shoes a great choice for fall and winter!

The packaging materials used by Groundhog shoes are also environmentally friendly, using recycled fibers and materials. Their tissue paper is entirely recycled and uses no bleach. Instead of inserting the typical packet of silica gel in each package of shoes, Groundhog inserts a packet of Nano Charcoal which achieves the same anti-moisture goal, but can be used as fertilizer by the consumer!

Additionally, Groundhog ships by sea carriage, one of the more eco-friendly shipping options, to reduce the carbon footprint of their shoes. As shipping makes up about 2% of the greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, this practice is quite important. Groundhog shoes also works hard at finding materials for their shoes locally, to reduce more shipping costs and unnecessary emissions – as well as to support local economy, a human friendly practice!

By manufacturing shoes in an environmentally friendly manner and making sustainable business decisions, Groundhog Footwear has created a line of green shoes anyone would be proud to walk in. Check out all of their styles online here at PlanetShoes.com!