Your Cart is Empty
OTBT SUSTAINABILITY
Everyone is talking about sustainability. But as we're flooded with news bites, social posts and broad claims, it can be difficult to really understand what sustainable means, and how it's really impacting our world. Let's start by saying, we're new to this game. But we care, and we've been working hard on improving our processes and materials to reduce our footprint.
We started making small changes in our Travel Lite® collection in 2020 in an effort to reduce waste and use materials with a lower impact on our earth. Through a team of motivated innovators, we are reducing our footprint even farther with a transparent approach to design that begins with ethical sourcing of natural and recycled materials. Learn more about the materials used to create some of our most sustainable styles.
Crafted with a mix of natural and recycled rubber, our soles help reduce industrial waste, incorporating as much as 33% natural materials including a blend of natural rubber and rice husk ash silica. This compound is mixed with recycled rubber shavings, creating OTBT's signature flecked sole.
Woven into our most sustainable styles, our eco cotton lining is made with 67% eco cotton yarn, woven from excess scraps gleaned from the textile industry. It's soft to the touch and supports an upcycle lifecycle for repurposing industry waste.
Step Lite foam is a quintessential element of our Travel Lite® collection, and 100% of waste is repurposed through responsible manufacturing. Step Lite uses a unique molecular structure that creates a lightweight cushion and flexible bounce that’s superior to EVA, scientifically shown to power your movements with spring back technology that keeps its shape and re-forms after each step.
OUR MOST SUSTAINABLE SNEAKERS YET...
LAUNCH 6.18.21
New in 2021, we're proud to launch our most sustainable sneakers yet.
OTBT’s Greener Sneakers help reduce our footprint with a transparent approach to design. Each shoe is built with natural rubber, recycled rubber shavings, recycled water bottles and rice husks. Our chrome-free leather tanning dramatically reduces water waste, and excess water is purified and recycled back into the environment. Plus, they're handcrafted in Brazil.
Greener Sneaker "Hologram" in Tie Dye is an ode to clean fresh air and crystal blue seas. Thanks to their innovative tanning technique, we're able to recycle water back into the environment.
Each pair of Greener Sneaker laces are woven with recycled plastics – equivalent to 1.3 water bottles per pair.
We're not perfect, and we're still learning. But with small steps, together we can start making a difference. We know that means a lot more than just designing more sustainable footwear. Our team continues to explore materials, practices, and efforts we can make to reduce our footprint. Beyond that, we hope to give back to the earth by saving it, even if it's just an acre at a time.
OTBT + Rainforest Trust
For every pair of Greener Sneakers you purchase on otbtshoes.com, we'll be preserving an acre of rainforest in Brazil and surrounding areas by donating to Rainforest Trust’s Conservation Action Fund.
“Because this collection is made in Brazil, it was crucial for us to find a partner with a mission there,” said Carmen Glass, Key Account Manager and Analyst. “Sustainability is all about circularity, so we’re completing a loop of impact that begins and ends in Brazil.”
