Sustainability in the Portuguese fashion accessory & footwear industry (case studies)

The Portuguese footwear has the second most expensive pair of shoes produced in Europe (Italy has the most expensive), it is the only country in the world that produces more footwear than it consumes. The main environmental impacts caused by this sector are at residues containing chromium in its composition, such as leather flaps and leather powder, which are difficult materials to degrade by the environment and therefore highly polluting. Being a thriving industry is also one of the firsts to have concerns with the issue of sustainability, emerging already some cases of good practice in the framework of sustainable strategies. This paper uses the case study research strategy of footwear brands and Portuguese accessories. The field study shows that the most commonly adopted sustainability principles are the choice of less polluting materials, less aggressive tanning leather, or even alternative materials. Products created with greater cultural value and in a more traditional way, towards the adoption of a slow fashion in the footwear sector.