It’s something that most of us don’t even think about much. But plastic flip-flips are one of the world’s most popular form of footwear (mostly because they are cheap).
But this means that each year, millions of plastic flops end up in our oceans, as they fly off feet (from holidaymakers to fishermen) and break down into microplastics.
It’s said that 25% of all ocean plastic waste is from flip-flops.
What Are Natural Rubber Flops?
Most flops on sale are made from plastic (or a blend of rubber with plastic). So when time comes to replace, go for a quality brand of 100% natural rubber flops. As long as it’s sustainably-harvested, natural rubber is a good choice.
Like cork and maple syrup, no trees are cut down to make rubber, the trees are simply ‘tapped’. This provides naturally biodegradable material, that makes quality flops to last you years.
Another good benefit is that unlike plastic flops (which tends to make the space between your big toe and second toe rub and feel comfortable), quality flops are as comfortable as slippers, so ideal for beach walks to sailors.
How Plastic Flops Pollute the Oceans
Anything made from plastic breaks down eventually into microplastics. If this is near the sea, it means millions of invisible plastic particles are accidentally ingested by fish and ‘filter feeders’ (like whales and sea turtles) who then become ill or die.
Where to Buy Natural Rubber Flops
Choose one size up from your shoe size, to give a few extra millimetres at the front and back, to protect your feet.
Flops made from recycled tyres are okay for pottering around the garden. But avoid them near the beach, as they still usually contain some plastic particles, which won’t break down, if you lose one in a wave, or it drops off your boat.
Sea Sense Natural Rubber Flops
Sea Sense make very comfortable natural rubber flops. This brand promise no blisters, and also use profits to help clean up the oceans.
The brand was founded by a marine biologist who spends around 99% of his life in flops. After working for 15 years throughout the world, he has been campaigning for most of that time on the dangers of plastic pollution, since discovering that 3 million people buy flops each year.
Waves Natural Rubber Flops
Waves Flops are made from ethically-sourced rubber (a natural polymer, rather than synthetic polymers like PET, UPVC or EVA).
These flops are super-comfy, so no more rubbing in the joint between your big toe and second toe.
Sold in zero waste packaging, you can even send back any brand of flops to Waves for recycling into other items (and get a discount on your next pair).
If the flops are natural rubber, they will use them. If not, they will add to a Terracycle Plastic Shoes Recycling Box, to be sent off to make into other items.
Cork Flops (with Natural Rubber Base)
Cork is another material, where trees are not chopped down. Instead, people in Spain and Portugal strip the bark every 9 years or so, to make a super-comfy ‘vegan leather’ material.
Keeping the cork industry alive (in a world of plastic wine corks) is a good idea, otherwise someone will likely knock down the forests, and turn the land into flats.
These natural cork flops with natural rubber base are made by artisans in Bali. Perfect for the pool, beach or lounging around at home, the sole has excellent grip so perfect for sailing, walking or pottering in the garden. The cork makes them lightweight, comfortable and easy to clean.
Colourful Art (made from recycled flops!)
Ocean Sole is a Kenyan social enterprise that gives jobs to an area that suffers 40% unemployment, to collect discarded flops and turn them into colourful art.
This has provided steady income to nearly 100 people locally and recycles around a 1 million flops per year and saves over 500 trees yearly by avoiding wood to make statues.
