We’re waiting for the greener shoe to drop. Oh wait, it already did. Of course, we’re talking about Rothy’s, the pro-eco brand that upcycles plastic bottles into thread, keeping 100 tons of waste from polluting our planet so far. They also knit items to size to avoid waste, launched a recycling program, and set a goal to have a circular production cycle by 2023—all initiatives currently overseen by the label’s Head of Sustainability, Saskia van Gendt (she / her).

Here, we chatted with the exec about how she’s balancing cash and climate, and how other companies can do the same.

What’s your role as Head of Sustainability?
I leverage my passion for environmental science, sustainability, and consumer goods to minimize our environmental impact. That means advancing innovations in materials, production, fulfillment, and more.

The Rothy’s factory is set to hit zero waste this year. How did you do it?
It was a team effort! In early 2021, we opened our new 320,000 sq ft workshop in Dongguan, China, and we built our factory to LEED specifications [aka the most popular green building rating system used globally]. We’re also integrating onsite renewable energy. This new workshop has allowed us to double down on our circularity and climate neutrality goals.

You’re also trying to implement twice-recycled materials. Why is that such a big deal?
Shoe production accounts for 1/5 of the fashion industry’s environmental impact, and 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away annually in the US alone. If we can find a way to use truly circular materials, we can stop shoes from ending up in landfills and reduce our reliance on virgin materials. That’s why we’re working hard to create twice-recycled thread—so the next iteration of Rothy’s shoes could be knit from previous pairs!

Many companies don’t adopt eco-friendly policies because of the production costs. How do you balance your sustainability commitment with the need to make a profit?
The steps we’ve taken to be sustainable have actually enabled us to remain profitable. For example, our 3D-knitting process allows us to make our products with almost 0 waste. Also, owning our own factory also allows us to control how much we produce to prevent excess supply, which avoids waste and is good for business.

What are ways we can reuse or upcycle an old pair of shoes?
Consider consignment for shoes that you no longer use but still have more life in them. Today, there aren’t good options for recycling shoes at scale, which is why we’re working on building recycling solutions for our products and the broader industry.

What would you tell other brands that are hesitant to go green?
Start measuring your impacts to point you to the biggest areas to prioritize, and view sustainability as an opportunity to improve the resilience of your business model. The more brands that commit to a greener way of doing business, the better. Together, we can solution-share and work towards a collective goal of a closed-loop future in footwear, accessories, and beyond.