These materials are durable, biodegradable, and could be sourced locally, making them a sustainable choice.
As societies evolved and trade routes expanded, shoes are made from a wider variety of materials, including leather, silk, and eventually synthetic materials like rubber and plastic.
The mass production of shoes, which began in the 19th century with the development of the assembly line, has continued to grow in scale and efficiency.
However, this mass production is having negative environmental and social impacts, such as the use of fossil fuels in the production of synthetic materials.
As well as this there are negative effects on local communities due to centralised factories.
Efforts are being made to address these issues and create more sustainable shoes.
These efforts include the use of sustainable materials, fair labour practices, and more efficient manufacturing processes.