Taygra is Likely a Vegan Brand

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Taygra Brand Overview

"We do not create our fabric, we recycle them. Fashion is wasteful. Every season, millions of tons of high quality end-of-roll textile end up in landfills. Taygra curates and select the highest quality recycled trendy materials that gives your shoes it's versatility and uniqueness. Nope, you can never own a same pair of Taygra twice." - Taygra team

About Taygra

"Inspired by the street dancers of Capoeira in Brazil, Taygra is a hybrid footwear that allows you to spin on the dance floor and stroll in the streets without having to switch shoes. This seemless transition is made possible thanks to the invention of our Taygra™ Recycled PVC sole." - Taygra team

What materials are used to make Taygra dance shoes?

For their dance shoes, Taygra typically uses the following materials:
Outer: 4-way stretch esmeche nylon
Glue: Water-based, animal-free glue
Insole: made from 100 percent recycled ecologically sound orthopedic EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate)
Sole: Recycled hard PVC sole
Their other shoes use vegan suede, (their sandals also use recycled truck canvas and rubber)

Are Taygra shoes eco-friendly/sustainable?

Taygra vegan dance shoes (as well as their sandals and casual shoes) could be considered quite eco-friendly as they primarily use recycled and up-cycled materials. From a sustainability standpoint, their efforts go further, as they help support and sustain local waste collectors to gather their recycled materials, which helps contribute to their city's cleanliness, and helps the collectors earn decent wages, thus allowing them to better their situation.

Does production of their shoes create a lot of CO2 emissions?

From a carbon footprint standpoint, it's difficult to asses the impact that Taygra has, and what they do to remediate it. However, according to Taygra, "Our company policy is 100% eco-friendly, with reducing of co2 emissions as we have led to an ecological solidarity project that took place in the Rondônia state of Amazonia in 2008/2009 for the plantation of 5 hectares of trees, 5,800 more or less, with a full project called 'Curupira,' the recreation of the rainforest." The brand goes on to say that, "With each product sold, there is a symbolic 'active eco-participation' to support this program, generating income and awareness for the small rural producer until the final phase of the project."

Does Taygra use ‘green’ shipping methods?

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

Do they use eco-friendly packaging?

According to Taygra, they used to use recycled packaging that they got from the city, from supermarkets and drugstores, but have lately used the plastic envelops that they say are really practical. They brand also says that they spare on adhesive bands and weight, to reduce the freight costs.

Are Taygra shoes recyclable?

We've reached out to the Taygra team to get further details on this, and they've told us that their soles are recyclable, but that customers don't often send them in to be recycled.

How should I dispose of my old Taygra shoes?

We’ve asked the Taygra team if they currently have, or are developing, a shoe recycling program, and are awaiting reply. In the meantime, Get it Vegan recommends either trying to have them repaired, 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.

What stores can I buy Taygra vegan dance shoes shoes from?

Taygra dance shoes (and their other shoes) can be purchased from their website, and can be shipped worldwide. According to Taygra, they also have "Physical and digital stores in Brazil, and abroad, with some retailers that can be dance teachers, dance schools, or multi-brand stores, and online stores."

Do their shoes ever go on sale?

We haven’t noticed any sales for Taygra shoes when visiting their site and perusing their social channels. However, they currently offer a 10% discount for subscribing to their newsletter.

Where are Taygra shoes made?

Taygra shoes are made in Brazil.

Are their shoes made with fair labour?

The Taygra factory is located in Brazil, so their worker's are protected by the labour laws of Brazil, which include 8 hour work days, or 44 hour work weeks (similar to Alberta, Canada). The brand seems keen on employing fair labour; according to Taygra, "We practice a responsible growth and fair trade policy whereby our dance sneakers are paid at 20% more than the market price to ensure better wages for factory workers." They also state that, "By providing direct and indirect work for many families - such as manufacturing soles, packing cardboard boxes or beach bags, our goal is to support the development of the local economy."

Is Taygra a charitable company?

Yes! According the brand, "In collaboration with SIMPI (Small & Micro-Companies Trade Union), TAYGRA has launched and continues to manage the CURUPIRA environmental project. This project aims at reforesting small plots of pasture in the south of the Amazon. It seeks to create new forests of native trees and to introduce reforestation as a source of profit, while allowing small local farmers to earn decent wages as they care for the new plantings."

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

Taygra gets high marks in slow fashion from us by incorporating several elements of a circular economy/slow fashion model, such as: employing fair labour; using recycled materials; avoiding discount-level pricing; supporting the betterment of the lives of locals; contributing to reforestation efforts; and making their products by hand.

Taygra Footwear Range

Tygra primarily makes hybrid dance shoes - shoes that can be worn indoors and outdoors - in a street-style, with canvas and vegan leather and vegan suede uppers. Their shoes are designed to offer "the best balance between slip and grip on many surfaces," and feature bold and colourful designs. While they focus on dance shoes, Taygra also makes a range of other casual footwear, including espadrilles, sandals, and beach shoes.