Brazil-based sustainable footwear company Cariuma just debuted a brand new style: the IBI Slip-On.
While the unveiling a new shoe may not usually be a big deal, in this case it is. That is because Cariuma is claiming that their IBI Slip-On has the world’s lowest carbon footprint of any sneaker in the world – and they have the math to back it up.
According to Cariuma, the IBI Slip-On has a carbon footprint of 5.48kg CO₂e (a figure that has been certified by the International Standardization Organization, or ISO 14067). This makes it the most carbon emission-friendly sneaker currently on the market, boasting roughly three times fewer emissions than the average pair of sneakers which come in at 14kg CO₂e.
In order to create the sneaker with the world’s lowest carbon footprint, Cariuma evaluated their own practices, along with industry practices at large. They also worked closely with its ethical factory and various third party partners to reduce waste as much as possible throughout the production process.
The IBI Slip-On is 100% vegan and is composed of a sustainably harvested bamboo knit upper (bamboo is also a crop that self-generates quickly and can be harvested without destroying the soil or tree). It is also made up of a sugarcane insole that has a negative carbon emissions balance, a vegan memory foam insole made out of cork and organic mamona oil, and recycled plastic finishings (lining, threads, and logo) that was sourced from discarded water bottles.
Even better, the materials used are extremely lightweight, making it the perfect spring or summer sneaker, and each pair is also fully machine washable.
Cariuma has been a footwear brand guided by sustainability since their inception. The Brazilian company headquartered in Rio has only ever worked with ethical factories and sustainable materials, such as those coming from nature or recycled premium materials. They even offset the environmental impact of shipping their products to consumers around the globe by working with an Amazon reforestation program, making them carbon neutral.
Cariuma’s IBI Slip-On is available in both women’s and men’s sizes, and comes in eight colourways: rose, green, yellow, white, red, blue, black, and grey. Each pair retails for $98 USD and is available now for pre-order on Cariuma’s website (items will ship on April 26, when the sneaker officially launches).
