More and more companies are joining the Save Mother Earth movement, as it is not only moral but increasingly profitable. One such corporation is Simple. It manufactures shoes and bags, and after more than a decade of existence, came up with this manifesto: “How we make our shoes is just as important as why we make them. We’re committed to making our products 100 percent sustainable.” Being sustainable means that the manufacturing of these goods can continue with minimal, long term-effect on the environment.

Through numerous product-tests, Simple has successfully integrated 25 recycled, natural, and organic materials into their products. These include unbleached hemp; recycled bike tires used for heel and toe bumpers; recycled car tires for the sole; organic cotton; carpet padding for the shoes; wool felt to keep your feet warm; cork that’s antimicrobial, spongy, and resilient; and bamboo to keep the smell away.

From its simple beginnings in Santa Barbara, California, Simple is now available in Europe, Japan, and Australasia, and is now in Manila (Rustan’s). We love its philosophy of "how we make our shoes is just as important as why we make them," and we sure hope other companies will follow their lead.

*Watch for these shoes which will be available starting September: