April 22nd is Earth Day, and here at Well+Good, we’re focusing on taking care of our planet and the small changes and choices we can make to protect it, especially when shopping for shoes. According to Waste 360 and Witchita State University, in the US, people throw away over 300 million pairs of shoes, 95 percent of which end up in landfills, where decomposing can take hundreds—yes, hundreds—of years. But it doesn’t have to be that way. So, it’s essential to know where your shoes are coming from and choose to invest in high-quality, durable pairs like those from Cariuma.
Since 2018, Cariuma has been at the forefront of ethically and sustainably handmade, casual, comfortable sneakers. It has pioneered in the category by putting forth green initiatives from everything from design to shipping and handling. For example, the B-Corp-certified brand prides itself on using novel and natural materials like bamboo, sugarcane, organic cotton, and recycled plastics that are easy to clean or repair and yield a smaller footprint, working exclusively with vendors that share the same sustainability mission, giving back through the Brazil-based reforestation program that plants a tree for every pair of sneakers sold and providing safe and healthy working conditions for corporate employees and factory partners.
Cariuma knows that quality and comfort are just as important as sustainability, so each collection is thoughtfully designed with a protective toe cap that absorbs shocks and impacts on the ball of the foot, a soft memory foam insole that provides softness and a slight arch, and a fully-stitched outsole and a natural perfectly weighted rubber outsole, which both ensure maximum durability. Ultimately, customers are left with lightweight, cushioned, and long-lasting sneakers with a perfect already broken-in fit.
So, if you’re in the market for a new pair of shoes and need a yearly reminder to choose a brand with sustainable values, Cariuma is for you. Keep scrolling to shop the label’s latest and best-selling classic sneakers for Earth Day and beyond.
Shop Cariuma Sneakers
Available sizes: 5-13 (with half sizes available)
At the beginning of the month, Cariuma introduced the Uba Pro sneakers, and to no surprise, the launch generated a lot of buzz among Cariuma fans and sneakerheads. The silhouette fuses the designs of ‘90s-style skateboarding and basketball kicks while staying true to Cariuma’s DNA. It features top-quality suede from Leather Working Group Gold-rated suppliers, recycled fabric, and sustainably sourced sugarcane and natural rubber. Beyond sustainability, the Uba Pro has breathable mesh panels to keep the inside of the shoe cool when things get hot in the summertime. Plus, it’s a cupsole shoe, providing extra protection and support to the heel, toe, and arches in case you’r