Ecoalf Shoes Are Vegan But Brand Technically Is Not

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Brand Highlights

Ecoalf believes that the time when fashion was "just about looking good," is over. They're committed to not only producing shoes, clothing and accessories that cause the least harm possible to the planet and local communities, they want to clean up the planet and those communities, which is why they launched the non-profit Ecoalf Foundation.

About Ecoalf

"All our actions inside Ecoalf are under constant evaluation with the goal of causing the least harm possible to the planet and local communities." - Ecoalf Founder and President, Javier Goyeneche.

Ecoalf isn't fully vegan?

Technically, no. Although the only animal materials/ingredients they use is recycled wool, and it's only used for their "knitwear" collection. If navigating their website, rest assured that all products in their catalogue that are vegan will be labeled as such within the product description.

Are Ecoalf shoes eco-friendly/sustainable?

Very much so. Ecoalf shoes are made mostly of recycled materials, which not only cleans up oceans and diverts materials from landfills, but also uses less water and energy to produce than new materials. The recycled polyester within them can also be recycled again. Ecoalf has also partnered with the BCOME sustainability platform to provide transparency on the environmental (and social) impact of their shoes, details of which can be found underneath every product listing on their website. Also of note, their Founder, Javier Goyeneche, was awarded the Schwab Foundation’s Social Innovators of the Year award 2020 for revolutionizing the fashion industry and leading the shift towards a sustainable future.

Does Ecoalf use green shipping methods?

It's unclear from their website if Ecoalf uses net-zero or negative emissions shipping partners, either domestically or internationally. We have asked them for clarification and are currently awaiting reply.

Does Ecoalf use eco-friendly packaging?

It's unclear from their website if Ecoalf uses recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, or other forms of eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. We have asked them for details regarding the materials they use for packaging, and are currently awaiting reply.

Are Ecoalf shoes recyclable or biodegradable?

According to Ecoalf, the recycled polyester in their shoes can also be recycled. It's not clear from the company's website as to whether or not the other components of their shoes are recyclable. We have asked for clarification from the Ecoalf team and are currently awaiting reply.

How should I dispose of my worn out Ecoalf shoes?

We have asked the Ecoalf team if they currently have, or are developing, a program wherein they take back or facilitate recycling of their customers' worn out shoes, and are awaiting reply. In the meantime, we recommend donating them to someone in need, or taking them to a clothing recycling depot (if available in your city), which can strip them down to their recyclable components.

Does Ecoalf promote ‘slow fashion’ or a ‘circular economy’?

Ecoalf appears to employ several elements of a circular economy, such as using recycled, recyclable, and high-quality materials; investing into environmental remediation efforts; and employing fair labour. One area in which they could improve with regard to following a 'slow fashion' model, is by using a 'made-to-order' production system, which could cut down on production waste.

Do Ecoalf shoes ever go on sale?

Upon visiting the Ecoalf website, we noticed several styles at a mark down of anywhere from 20-40% of their original price. This is likely a sale for marking down older models in order to clear them out for newer ones coming in.

Where can I buy Ecoalf shoes, jackets, clothing and accessories?

Aside from purchasing shoes directly from their website, Ecoalf has many branded stores in Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and Tokyo. They also work with resellers across Spain, as well as some selected retailers in Germany and Japan. For a full list of where you can buy their shoes, jackets, clothing and accessories, please visit the "Points of Sale" section of their website.

What materials are used to make Ecoalf shoes?

Ecoalf shoes are made of the following materials, in various proportions depending on the specific shoe (information about the specific composition of each shoe can be found on that product's information page on their website): recycled polyester (from the sea, textiles and plastic bottles); recycled nylon (25% from discarded fishing nets; 25% from scrapped carpeting; and 50% from pre-consumer nylon waste); recycled tires (involves an innovative process in which no external material other than that from the recycled tires is added). 

Does Ecoalf have a female leadership presence?

Indeed they do. The Ecoalf executive team is composed of 50% women and 50% men, while the total Ecoalf team is 73% women and 27% men.

Are Ecoalf shoes ethically made?

We are currently awaiting reply as to where Ecoalf's shoes are produced. However, Ecoalf does state that to minimize the social risks in their operations across the supply chain, all of their suppliers are certified and audited by third parties:, including SMETA ethical trade auditing; SA 8000 Social Accountability Certification, and BSCI social performance auditing.

Is Ecoalf a charitable company?

Very much so. They actually launched the non-profit Ecoalf Foundation, which collaborates with local partners and institutions with which it shares common values and objectives, to carry out projects in the fields of waste management, environmental awareness, and research and development. For example, their Upcycling the Oceans project partnered with over 2,575 fishermen from 573 boats across 40 Spanish ports to remove 180 tonnes of waste from the oceans in 2020 alone (the program was started in 2015).

Ecoalf's Range Of Vegan Products

Ecoalf makes a variety of shoes, clothing and accessories with a timeless style, although they offer some retro and modern/trendy styles also. They occasionally partner with major brands, such as Starbucks, Michelin and Apple to create products from recycled materials. Their current vegan product range includes: