Planet conscious British fashion house Fresh Cargo recently launched Maasai Treads, a fair trade line of flip flops. Fresh Cargo works with members of Nairobi's Maasai tribe on the collection. It currently employs 20 locals, but hopes to expand operations to 100 artisans by 2014. These efforts would go some way towards turning around the economy of Nairobi, where 40% of resident…

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For many of us, a pair of flip flops is a throwaway item, a cheap and cheerful footwear option for those summer months spent lounging near the sand. But for Apolis, this humble shoe is a force for social change. The social enterprise is behind the Co-Op sandal, a beautiful flip flop featuring a recycled rubber sole and soft vegetable-tanned leather upper and accents. The style is simp…

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PaperFlops is a brand new line of flip flops cleverly made from recycled newspapers and other eco-friendly materials. The shoes are innovatively designed using newspaper, coconut shells, and palm tree root. You might hesitate to wear shoes made from paper near the ocean, but PaperFlops has thought of that. A thin layer of natural rubber seals each shoe, ensuring it's water-resi…

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All too often it seems that eco-friendly accessories are made abroad, so it's refreshing to see new American label Vere creating green flip flops in the US of A. The beach shoes feature local recycled nylon webbing, naturally dyed chrome-free leather, and EVA foam soles with a recycled component. Some green warriors may argue that any product using leather can never truly be eco-f…

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If you love spending time on the beach, it makes sense that you want to protect it. But most of us never think of the way our footwear is contributing to the pollution of our waterways. Ocean Minded looks to combat the problem with its eco-friendly, sustainable range of footwear, T-shirts, and hats. The label uses recycled and sustainable products to make its men's, women's, and chil…

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The Northern Hemisphere may be getting cooler, but American beach footwear brand OKA b. has just released a new collection for anyone lucky enough to travel to warmer climes. I particularly like the cheekily named Little Black Shoe range. These black flip flops with their pretty flower and bow straps look to be just as essential as your little black dress. If you prefer more color yo…

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