Footglove Earth, M&S first sustainable footwear range was announced as the result of the company’s efforts to address a set of social and environmental issues: “As part of our commitments to become the world’s most sustainable retailer by 2020 a number of iconic sustainable products have been developed throughout the business from carbon neutral bras to coats where the fabric has been made from recycled materials”.

As footwear consists of a number of components that distinguish themselves in composition and end use, M&S priority was to source the individual components through suppliers developing their products in a sustainable way or using recycled post consumer waste.

The development of the shoes for the Footglove collection lasted 18 months. And according to the company, Marks & Spencer has established a commitment to sustainability, aimed to make its factories and products more sustainable by 2020, through various measures that include reduction of water consumption and the recycling of products. The result is a new footwear capsule collection.

The leather uppers are made in tanneries accredited by independent Leather Working Group standards. The fabric lining comes from a yarn that uses ground coffee beans in its production, a waste material with a new use. The soles contain natural rubber and rice husks. The padding is made from recycled foam and internal components are made using post consumer plastic bottles.  Water based adhesives were also used, ensuring no solvents or latex were involved and with less consumption of water and energy in production.

Products are available online on Marks and Spencer's website, with prices ranging from £25 to £99  (38 to 150 euros). The company now expects consumes to be as enthusiastic as they are about the new eco-conscious products, making the new shoes a sales hit.