As the years go on, people have become increasingly obsessed with their collection of feet covers, or shoes. 23 billion shoes are made every year, with 22 billion thrown into the landfill. With new designs launching everyday and fashion trends rapidly changing, shoe-buying culture is only growing. Through each new shoe addition, people feed into the culture that has led to millions of shoes being manufactured every day. As an individual completely out of the shoe-buying culture, it seems amusing that people would pay so much for a pair of shoes–let alone risk getting them dirty by wearing them. According to The Times, rare sneakers have become a social commodity, a necessary asset for Generation Z. Moreover, I deep-dived into YouTube culture and found “vlog channels” that posted house tours with entire closets devoted to their “shoe collections”. Ultimately, shoes have transitioned from being used for comfort and style to a totem of social status. In 2022, Europe’s largest trainer event, Crepe City, showcased some of the world’s rarest and most valuable footwear with prices ranging from £50 to several thousand pounds. Given the extensive market across the globe, it is unsurprising that shoes have become a colossal source of waste. Of the 22 billion pairs of shoes ending up in the landfill, on average, it takes between 30-40 years for just one pair to decompose. Instead of having just monetary value, shoes have become a mainstay in modern culture with a global community forming around them. Are shoe brands working to become more sustainable? Nike claims that their vision is “zero waste, period”. Through using recycled materials, more efficient production methods, and smarter packaging, Nike says that they will strive to prevent waste from being created prior to selling products. Similarly, Adidas claims to replace the virgin polyester with recycled polyester “wherever possible”. Every year, shoe production keeps rising with more celebrities collaborating with big brands to produce new footwear designs. From an everyday necessity, shoes have evolved into an ever-growing subculture. With the great demand for trainers, what is the solution to the 22 billion pairs of shoes that end up in the landfill every year? Brands need to open their eyes and realize the magnitude of their production, people need to make mindful purchases, and the world needs to keep spinning.
