Thursday, October 29, 2009

Sustainable Gift Giving


One of the things that our family is doing, like so many, is being very careful with purchases. I have begun to not only think about the price of an object, I ask myself if it is needed, but also what is the impact of that object on the earth. In the case of shoes for toddlers, the answer is almost always yes - they are needed. So I thought I would share these cute shoes with you. They are made by Simple Shoes and I ordered these through Zappos. I try to use local vendors for most things, but being a grandmother in one state, with a grandson in another, it is not always possible. In this case the shoes will be delivered the next day, free shipping, and return if necessary. Our younger daughter has been wearing shoes by Simple for a few years now. Most of hers are made of the sustainable product, hemp, with recycled materials for the soles. I like the product specs on these little shoes:
  • Constructed from washable, earth-friendly suede.
  • The suede is from an eco-certified tannery.
  • Certified organic-cotton fleece lining for comfort on your feet.
  • Organic cotton comes from non-genetically modified seeds. It is also grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides.
  • Recycled PET and natural latex elastic laces with pull toggle for a snug fit.
  • Foot form inserts are made from post-consumer recycled paper.
  • Non-marking, natural rubber outsole with toe bumper.
  • Even the box that your fun shoes come in are created from post-consumer recycled paper, soy-based printing ink, natural latex, and a starch-based glue.


31 comments:

Brian Miller said...

very cool, affordable?

Paula said...

being a German GREENIE this shoes are very up my line. I remember my time in Tampa where my environmental education and the American reality collided! No waste separation, all went into one container. Till the day I left I struggled with this. Love this shoes but even more your attitude! Hugs across the pond

The Good Cook said...

I too have been wearing Simples for sometime. And those shoes are CUTE!!
Another great gift idea for those who have "everything".. for the past few years my siblings and I have "exchanged" gifts by GIVING locally in each other's names. Food banks, the Red Cross, your local veteran's administration, toiletries for our soldiers serving in Iraq, women's shelters... there are numerous charities within miles, if not blocks of one's own home.

DJan said...

How wonderful! Apparently, from someone comment, they come in adult versions, too? I'll check them out. A great idea. No kiddies around for me to buy for.

Joanne said...

Eco friendly and fashionable too! Very cute shoes.

Unknown said...

Will pass this info along to my daughter for my grandkids. Really cute too!

scarlethue said...

Really cute shoes, and green to boot! Thanks for sharing. I've got a couple toddlers to buy for for Christmas, so I've always got my eyes open for fun new things their crazy aunt can buy for them.

Whitney Lee said...

Thanks for the tip. My munchkin is already showing distinct signs of a shoe fetish...I'll see what they have.

Nancy said...

Brian - Well, not so much for my daughter - usually this is a grandparent purchase. She does something less expensive more out of need than desire. These were $37, I think. I would love to see these things become more affordable for young families.

Paula - We found the same thing here at Tahoe. Beautiful place - no recycling. That's changed now, thank goodness.

Good Cook - Great idea! Most of us adults really don't need much, do we? I like that catalog where you can buy goats, and other animals to help people start businesses. We have sent all of our Girl Scout cookie purchases to our service people In Iraq and Afghanistan for several years now.

DJan - Yes, adult versions, too. There are a couple of styles that I like.

Joanne - I like how they think of everything, including packaging, my personal bugaboo, in trying to be as eco-friendly as possible.

Gaston - I thought so! My grandson may have a differing opinion, however. One never knows!

scarlethue - I think many parents are trying to buy eco-friendly things for their kids these days. My daughter and SIL try to avoid plactic whenever possible for toys, so I try to keep that in mind. It's hard though - everything is plastic!

Whitney - They do like their shoes, don't they? So funny!

Lillian Robinson said...

I'm not sure what earth-friendly suede is...

I like the idea of using hemp in products. We have an old abandoned factory here in town that, once upon a time, employed a lot of people in the making of hemp rope. If our government wasn't so afraid of the word...

Nancy said...

scarlethue - ummmm that would be plastic, not plactic - I really need to be more careful when I proof read!

Meeko Fabulous said...

Those are just too cute! I try to get my nephew stuff he can use as opposed to toys for the holidays. :)

Nancy said...

Lilly - I think it has to do with the design of the shoe, but the tannery is supposed to be eco-friendly. Tanneries have been known polluters. I hope they don't pollute, at least. The suede is washable, which I liked for little boys and mud puddles. Maybe the laws will change for hemp now that California wants to make it legal to tax it! Ha. That would be great for our economy and for the environment if your area could get that hemp factory up and running!

Nancy said...

Meeko - We are doing the same thing.

Rosaria Williams said...

Cool. We've all become better shoppers, more conscientious, more careful about the impact of our actions.

Nancy said...

lakeviewer - It's time has come.

Anonymous said...

well unfortunately its very hard to find shoes for my family by mail. We went that route once and it was a nightmare. I have a family of flat footed people, including myself and all shoes have to be tried on with orthopedic inserts...

oh well!

also I dont support hemp. Because people will always find a way to use that plant for bad things....
:-P
Sometimes a good product must be sacrificed for the all around good of the people.

I'm sure I am very alone in this idea but those other hemp parts have caused generations of trouble in my family and I cant tolerate anything having to do with it.
I wish, broccoli would have some leaf usage shoes could be made of!! That would be ideal. When you eat it, it prevents cancer, when you wear it, you save the planet! LOL

Jen said...

Thanks for the shoes! THEY ACTUALLY FIT!

Nancy said...

Nancy - The hemp grown for this type of product is not the type you smoke. In fact, it has a substance, naturally occuring, that blocks the THC found in the other type of marijuana. If you are interested you can click on the "hemp" word and it will take you back to a post that I did on this subject. But you cannot get high on hemp, and it doesn't even look like the other stuff. I'm sorry you have had family issues with pot. Substance abuse is no laughting matter. Thanks for raising the issue.

Nancy said...

Jenincide - Yay!

California Girl said...

I've never heard of Simple Shoes and your post made me curious. Where do they manufacture their shoes? I went on their site and was unable to find anything about that. I found alot of copy about how they make sure the countries in which the shoes are made pay a living wage,don't use child labor, etc. but no identification of the manufacturing country of origin. I went to ask.com & typed in that question and learned they are made in China. Now, they may or may not be living up to the claims of their web site w/ respect to materials, etc. but I find this suspicious. I am always skeptical when it comes to lofty advertising claims made by companies. Guess that's because I'm in advertising.

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

These shoes look comfortable! I'm off to take a closer look. Thanks for posting this info!

Nancy said...

California Girl - Good point about China not living up to their claims. Let us know if you find out more!

Rob & Trish - I've not bought any since they have started being eco-friendly, but I might try some next time. The Simple Shoes I had in the past were very comfortable, though.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

My grandsons would get mad at me if I bought them shoes. I love this company, aren't their shoes wonderful? And, it's great that you are bringing them to so many people's attention. I am being super thoughtful about the gifts I'm purchasing this year, for many reasons. Sustainability being one of them.

Nancy said...

Elizabeth - My grandson is only 22 months, so I can get away with buying him shoes - which his parents really appreciate - LOL! I did run them by Mom though, and she chose the color.

Anonymous said...

With Stefan's (26 months) feet growing from month to month, this was surely of interest to read.

A wonderful Friday for you all.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Very cute shoes! Yes, in this economy, I think we are all second guessing those purchases with wnat versus need. Going a bit more green makes it all the better!

Nancy said...

robert - LOL! Yes, with a toddler you would understand the shoe thing.

Alicia - Whenever possible, I do like to go green. It's not always possible, however. But I like to think the more these types of things sell, the more they will be made, and the prices will come down accordingly. Maybe some day we will only buy eco-friendly goods.

Marguerite said...

So cute and nice that they're eco friendly, too! Thanks for posting. You are such a sweet grandma!

Pat said...

I went to the website and the baby shoes are adorable. I just might order a pair for my grand daughter. Thanks for the tip!

Nancy said...

Marguerite - He is easy to spoil! LOL!

Pat - The pink ones were so cute!