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Make the Switch to Natural Rubber
Comfort: Natural rubber flip flops are often more comfortable to wear than synthetic flip flops because they have a softer, more flexible feel. Natural rubber also moulds to your feet. It feels like you're walking on a cloud, and that reduced impact when you walk is great for your joints. If you've suffered from flip flops pinching across the top of your foot, or if you're prone to blisters from the toe peg, you no longer have to worry about that, natural rubber is incredibly soft! Under extreme tension, they do not buckle and fold, as regular flip flops do. Often when flip flops get bent once, they lose their shape and are more likely to break or be uncomfortable. They can also be more breathable, which can help to prevent foot odor and keep your feet cool in hot weather.
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Environmental Benefits: In addition to being more sustainable and durable, natural rubber flip flops have a smaller environmental footprint than synthetic flip flops. They do not release harmful chemicals during the production process, and they do not contribute to plastic pollution when they are discarded. Do not fear, just because our flip flops are biodegradable, it doesn't mean they will start falling apart as you are wearing them. When you are finished with your flip flops, you can send them back to us and we will recycle them, or you can compost them. Importantly, wherever your flip flops end up, they won't release any toxic chemicals like plastics do.
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The Science: Natural rubber is biodegradable for two reasons: because of natural oxidisation and chemical reaction to the environment, and because relatively common bacteria and fungi are able to break rubber down for use over their life cycles.Natural rubber can be enzymatically broken into molecules helpful to microorganisms, creating water and carbon dioxide or methane as a byproduct. Some of these microorganisms get a boost when the chemistry of the environments starts the process through oxidisation. Soils with a lot of microbial activity and complex compositions can accelerate this biodegradation.Synthetic rubbers and plastics used in most flip flops do not break down this way, as microorganisms have not evolved to use them.
Overall, natural rubber flip flops are a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable alternative to synthetic flip flops. While they may cost a little more upfront compared to the cheap high street shops, they are a worthwhile investment that can save you money in the long run while also reducing your environmental impact.
Flip flops are worn by people all over the world. They are typically made from flexible plastic or rubber, and are popular because they are cheap, easy to wear, and can be easily slipped on and off. However, the environmental impact of flip flops made from synthetic materials led us to search for a more eco-friendly alternative.
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Our flip flops are made from rubber that is sourced from trees, rather than being synthesized from petrochemicals. There are several benefits to choosing natural rubber flip flops over their synthetic counterparts:
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Sustainability: Natural rubber flip flops are a more sustainable choice because they are made from a renewable resource. Rubber trees can be harvested for their latex without damaging the environment, and they are replanted once they reach the end of their life cycle. In contrast, synthetic rubber is made from non-renewable petrochemicals and contributes to the depletion of fossil fuels. Our natural rubber comes from Vietnam and our manufacturing process meets the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) standard which ensures the staff are paid a fair wage and work in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
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Durability: Natural rubber flip flops are generally more durable than their synthetic counterparts. They are less prone to cracking or breaking and can last for many seasons with proper care. This not only makes them a more cost-effective choice in the long run, but it also means that fewer flip flops will end up in landfills or the ocean, contributing to pollution. We have walked more miles than we can remember wearing these, without any failure, and we have pulled and twisted the straps without them snapping, including testing for those dreaded "toe-plug blowouts".
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