Doesn’t it feel like we are always buying new shoes for our kids? They outgrow them so fast and they usually end up in the trash can! If you want to feel better about your next buy, Terri has a few greener options for the family.

Payless Shoes has a new green line of shoes under the name Zoe & Zac. These shoes are made from organic cotton, hemp, recycled rubber and even water-based glues. The dyes used in them are metal-free. The elastic on some of the shoes are even made from recycled plastic water bottles. The best part is that every pair of shoes is less than $30!

If you are willing to spend a little more, Nike has a new eco-friendly shoe line called Considered Design. Nike makes them with earth friendly materials such as organic cotton and cork. The company hopes to have all their shoes made under these standards by 2011. Nike also has the Reuse-A-Shoe and Nike Grind programs. You can take your old shoes to certain drop-off locations or send them in. They’ll be ground up and turned into something new like an indoor basketball court.

New Balance also has eco-friendly options. It’s known as the “70 Collection” and 75% of the shoe are made from environmentally preferred materials. Recycled textiles are used in the laces, webbing and tongue. New Balance uses rice husk fillers in the outsole to reduce the amount of rubber needed. That means a lot less petroleum is used to make each shoe. The packaging of the shoe also uses less paper.

Keds are also popular for kids. They now have a new line called “Green Label”. Besides being made with 100% organic cotton, no toxic inks or dyes are used. They are manufactured with recycled rubber. Or check out a brand known as Simple Shoes. They are committed to finding more sustainable ways to make shoes. They use everything from recycled inner tubes to bamboo to make their shoes. They also have shoes to fit every foot with some very affordable ones!

And, here’s one last option for those who want to get more use out of the shoe they have. Get them re-soled! It’s is an inexpensive fix to get more use out of what you already have in the closet!

To Learn More Visit:
Payless Shoes
Zoe & Zac
Nike’s Considered Design
New Balance
Keds
Simple Shoes