Shoe

"The footwear industry emits around 1.4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions."

"An estimated 22 billion pairs of shoes are dumped into landfill each year and can take over 100 years to decompose."

These quotes and more about the real cost of shoe-making are exposed in this Tearfund NZ article.

"It is estimated that in an average lifetime, we use our feet to walk the equivalent of five times the circumference of the earth. Yet we rarely give our feet -- and our footwear -- much attention beyond aesthetics." Read more in this HealthXchange article which includes the five characteristics of good shoes.

Buy less! Buy good quality shoes and look after them. These shoe-care tips from Tearfund and Shoe Talk will help.

When buying new shoes search for ethically and sustainably-made brands. 

Footwear needing repair can be taken to Mister Minit Whanganui at Shop 32, Trafalgar Square, ph 06 345 0484.  

Less than five percent of shoes are recycled, which means the majority end up in landfill.

Clean shoes with some good life left in them will be welcome donations at secondhand/charity shops.

Consider on-selling your good quality shoes and boots.

Keep from landfill wherever possible.