YY Nation are a Zero Carbon brand as Certified by EKOS™, which is the official way of saying that everything they take out of nature, all their materials, they put right back in. That’s quite a bold statement but they are able to back it up! Their super fine merino wool is ethically grown, certified, and traceable from New Zealand growers. The merino sheep live in the high country of New Zealand’s South Island and come down for a haircut once a year. Wool is temperature regulating so great for the summer. The bamboo is certified by OEKO – TEK ® using sustainable and ethical growers. The YY soles are made from nature using natural bio-based materials like Algae or Sugarcane that don’t emit harmful oil-based chemicals into the environment unlike most other shoes. YY Nation also use pineapple husk waste as leather accents as it reduces harmful CO2 emission caused from burning off this waste material, cleverly turning waste into wonder! I really do have to agree with that too!
The Nimbo Bamboo is a super light, cool, and breathable slip-on sneaker made from OEKE-TEK ® certified bamboo (a.k.a. the good stuff), with accents of pineapple husk leather. Why Bamboo? Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth producing 30% more oxygen than the same amount of trees. YY Nation’s research and development has created a unique soft but super strong material, with the added natural benefits of being antibacterial and resistant to moisture to keep your feet cool and dry. The lining is made from super soft merino wool that you can wear with or without your socks.
The durable, stable sole is crafted using YY ingredients of Algae or Sugarcane. Rubber inserts increase grip allowing you to get around with ease. The Nimbo is super lightweight—both on your feet and on the planet, with low carbon emissions (average 5.56KgCO2e per pair!) that really ups their feel-good factor. Slip into nature and head off on your next adventure (Errands count, too.)
To illustrate YY Nations ethical credentials in full I have spotlighted the materials they use and their ethos to make it easier for you:
Merino Wool
YY Nation super fine merino wool is ethically grown, certified, and traceable from New Zealand growers. The merino sheep live in the high country of New Zealand’s South Island on a free range farm and come down for a haircut once a year.
Bamboo
YY Nation Bamboo is certified by OEKO – TEK ® using sustainable and ethical growers. YY soles are made from nature using natural bio-based materials like Algae or Sugarcane that don’t emit harmful oil based chemicals into the environment las with most other shoes.
Pineapple Husk
Using pineapple husk waste as leather accents reduces harmful CO2 emission caused from burning off this waste material, turning waste into wonder.
Transportation
There’s less need for transportation as many of the raw materials are made into YY Nation’s unique shoe components within 65 miles (100km) of their manufacturing home base.
Small Carbon Footprint
There is a small carbon footprint as the YY Nation supply chain has been designed and developed to minimize their carbon footprint. YY Nation CO2e emissions are 42% to 61% lower than conventional sneaker emissions. –But that is not all as YY Nation sneakers are. Whatever YY Nation removes from the environment, they put it back in by planting indigenous forests to restore the natural wonder for future generations and animals to enjoy. That is the YY Nation way.
Packaging
All Packaging is made from FSC certified, environmentally friendly cardboard.
I am really impressed with these sneakers not just because I love the company’s ethos, but the sneakers allow me to slip my feet into comfort, meaning I am light on my feet and light on the planet – that’s a double bonus. By wearing these fabulous, comfortable sneakers I am doing my small bit of helping to keep the planet in better shape. Caring for our planet is something we cannot continue to put on the back burner. YY Nation, think they have developed the world’s lowest carbon footprint trainer and I agree with them, sustainable shoes must be the future!
The company produce a great range of styles for both ladies and men – so pleased do check out their website.
