Leona Baker

The fashion business has come below scrutiny lately for its ethics and impact on the environment leading to a surge in eco fashion and ethical labels. Shoes are not something that individuals usually consider with regards to eco fashion. They may be only a small component of a entire outfit but they are a very important part and their manufacture can have just as numerous ethical and environmental implications as clothes. Recently the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation issued warnings about the high levels of toxins in plastic shoes including flip flops, clogs and sandals from a number of nations which includes the Philippines, advising that the high levels present were injurious to human health and the atmosphere. The tests which were carried out in cooperation with the EcoWaste Coalition and partner groups in India, Indonesia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda found 17 of the 27 pairs of plastic shoes tested positive for phthalates which are associated with developmental and reproductive disorders, including incomplete testicular growth and decreased fertility in males. One specific Phthalate, DEHP is in a position to cause impaired fertility and harm to the unborn youngster. The shoes also tested positive for varying levels of heavy metals, numerous of which damaging to endocrine, nervous and reproductive systems, are carcinogenic and allergenic, and highly toxic to aquatic organisms. [...]