Hi, nice of you to read this new blog. Starting today, we are introducing the item of the week. Every week we will highlight a new product to give you some more background information about the important stories we, together with the brands, have to tell.
This week we take you through the story of sustainable sneaker brand VEJA.
The sustainability of VEYAs:
Fat sneakers but made different, better, fairer and more sustainable. VEJA has been doing this since 2005. Their innovative way of making sneakers combines social projects, economic justice and ecological materials. By making the shoes in a different, better way, VEJA wants to show what was wrong with the regular production process of sneakers. VEJA made a statement by flipping the entire production process and emphasizing that as a consumer, you should not take anything for granted.
VEJAs are produced fairly in Brazil
VEJA sneakers are produced in high-quality factories in Brazil. The idea behind the sneakers is, that beautiful design and social responsibility go together as a pair of shoes.
Recycled cotton and polyester in VEJA sneakers
VEJA also uses Upcycling. Upcycling is the recycling of materials or products that are no longer used and then turning them into new products. For example, recycled cotton and recycled polyester are used in their sneakers.
Did you know that it takes an average of 3 plastic bottles to make a pair of VEJA sneakers?
This week's featured models:
How does the Veja Venturi looks like?
The first model we are highlighting this week is the VEJA Venturi. This is a cool sneaker with a somewhat more outdoor/sports-like look. The shoe is less flat than for example the V10 and therefore runs very well. The upper of this sneaker is made of 100% recycled polyester. The chuncky but lightweight soles of the Venturi sneaker are made of 24% rubber from the Amazon rainforest.
What is Amazon Rainforest Rubber?
VEJA uses rubber from the Amazon rainforest. VEJA's soles consist of 20 to 40 percent Amazonian rubber. VEJA buys the rubber directly from cooperatives formed by families of rubber tappers. The rubber VEJA uses is Fair for Life certified in 2019. VEJA is committed to continuing to improve the living conditions of rubber tappers and ensuring the protection of the Amazon rainforest. Consequently, they pay 5 times more than the average market price.
What is the Veja V-10 VEGAN?
The second model we highlight this week is the VEJA V-10. This is one of VEJA's more classic models. It is a so-called "tennis" model. The sneaker has a slightly sloping sole and the famous holes at the nose. A timeless sneaker that you can combine endlessly and wear well in both summer and winter. The outside of the shoe is made of C.W.L. and the sole is made of Amazon rainforest rubber.
What is C.W.L?
VEJA's main goal was to find ecological leather. In the end, they ended up with C.W.L. This is organic cotton coated with PU (alternative to leather), corn starch and the oil of the castor tree (also known as the miracle tree). All this makes VEJA's new vegan leather. This material is 54% biobased and offers the same texture, smoothness and waterproofness as leather. The C.W.L. product is purchased directly by VEJA itself.
