With so much emphasis on sustainable practices and how it affects the earth, it’s important to always choose environmentally friendly items.
That being said, while Croc shoes are very popular, are they good for the environment? If you want to find out if Crocs are ethical, I have carried out the research, and here’s what I found!
Are Crocs Ethical In 2024?
It is difficult to ascertain if Crocs are ethical because there are some controversies about the material they are made of. Crocs are made with croslite, which contains a type 7 plastic called Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). EVA is not biodegradable and compostable and can promote pollution. However, Crocs are looking to use only bio-based materials for subsequent production.
If you’re interested in learning more about if Crocs are vegan or environmentally friendly, keep reading for more useful facts and tips!
Are Crocs Made Ethically?
There is no real evidence that Croc is not an ethical company. For instance, although the demand and sale of Crocs increase annually, Croc employees are treated with value.
Unlike many fast fashion brands that are less concerned about the experience of their staff, Croc is different.
All of the workers at Croc are provided with a variety of perks such as health, financial, and wellness programs, as well as paid time off.
Croc also offers career development programs to help every employee.
What Are Crocs Made Out Of?
Crocs are made out of croslite, a closed-cell resin, which is essentially an unprocessed plastic polymer.
As a result, many users often wonder if croslite is toxic to the environment. However, croslite is a type of plastic known as EVA.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is formed from the combination of two plastic monomers: ethylene and vinyl acetate.
The combination of both plastic monomers makes Crocs feel more like foam compared to rubber.
How Are Crocs Made?
Crocs are made with a process called injection molding; a process used to manufacture items created from thermoplastic materials on a large scale.
Since Crocs are made with croslite, which contains EVA (thermoplastic material), injection molding is the only way they can be made.
Injection molding entails filling a molded frame with preheated thermoplastic material.
For Crocs, the frame is first made with aluminum, after which it is filled with melted EVA either by injecting or pouring. It is then allowed to cool.
Once the process is cool, the Crocs are removed with injector pins before any modifications are made to it. This process is used to create all authentic Crocs regardless of style or size.
Are Crocs Environment Friendly?
Crocs are unfortunately not environmentally friendly because they contain Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA).
As mentioned earlier, EVA contains two different plastic monomers. Plastics are made with crude oil, a non-renewable resource, which causes air and water hazards such as oil spills.
Since Crocs contain plastic, the process of manufacturing them isn’t eco-friendly.
However, it’s also essential to note that Crocs have a lower carbon footprint compared to several brands.
Are Crocs Vegan?
It is difficult to say Crocs are vegan because there are non-vegan options. For instance, some Crocs have leather patches, which will take them out of the vegan category.
So, if you are vegan, you should consider the type of Crocs you buy.
Fuzzy Crocs are considered vegan because they feature synthetic fur incorporated for warmth.
Fortunately, Croc announced in 2021 that it will be 100% vegan soon, so you won’t need to worry about that.
In addition to using only bio-based materials, Croc is also looking to employ eco-friendly packaging.
In 2020, 85% of Crocs were sold without the usual packaging. However, a specific type of packaging material hasn’t been announced yet.
Are Crocs Made From Recycled Materials?
Crocs are not entirely made from recycled materials. However, up to 45% of all Croslite used to produce Crocs is recycled.
Aside from this fact, the company always tries to ensure that it improves its practices.
For instance, Crocs donated over 860,000 pairs to organizations that cater to the less privileged.
Also, the company saved up to 90,000 pairs of Crocs from landfills in 2020.
Thus, caring for the environment alongside meeting the high demands from users globally.
Are Crocs Recyclable?
Crocs are not recyclable. Since Crocs are made of EVA, which contains two different types of plastic, they are not recyclable.
EVA is considered a type 7 plastic which is more complex to recycle.
As a result, many recycling programs do not accept EVA. But it doesn’t mean Crocs are dumped and allowed to pollute different areas of the environment.
Instead, the company recycles up to 45% of croslite scraps to manufacture new Crocs.
Think of it as a cycle within the Croc manufacturing process that saves the world from more sources of pollution.
Are Crocs Biodegradable?
Another cause for concern is the fact that Crocs are not biodegradable. Plastics can take between 20-100 years to decompose, which is why they cause pollution.
Since Crocs are made of plastic polymers, they can take a long while to decompose.
However, if Croc sticks to its plan to use only bio-based materials for future manufacture, these shoes will become biodegradable. This also means that Crocs are not compostable.
Are Crocs Toxic?
Crocs are not toxic. Although there are a lot of concerns about EVA and its effect on the environment, it is not harmful.
EVA does not contain toxic materials such as phthalates and BPA that are linked to cancer and other conditions.
Conclusion
Crocs are an incredibly popular brand, however, they are yet to tick all of the eco-friendly boxes. Although there’s no evidence of treating employees badly, you need to consider that they are made of EVA (plastic polymers). EVA is not biodegradable and can contribute to pollution.
Another thing to consider is the incorporation of leather in some Crocs, hence making them non-vegan. Fortunately, Crocs will make a complete change to using bio-based materials for production. Plus, eco-friendly packaging and practices very soon.