Veja

How ethical and sustainable is Veja? 

As one of the better known sustainable and ethical shoe companies out in the market, many consumers would expect Veja to rank well in our Shoes & Trainers: Ethical Comparison Ratings Table. And… it does! Veja has been researched and given an Ethical Rating by The Good Shopping Guide; after extensive research, this brand has met our Ethical Benchmark and can be considered by consumers and investors as a good ethical brand.

Find out more information about how we rate brands’ ethics, and also read our comprehensive guide to the Ethical Shoes and Trainers industry.

About Veja

2004 saw the founding of Veja. Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion, the creators of Veja, meet with wild rubber tappers (Seringueiros) in the Amazon and organic cotton farmers in North Brazil to build the Brazilian production chain for Veja. French footwear and accessory company Veja also goes by the name Vert in Brazil. In 45 countries as of October 2018, Veja was supplying its shoes to 1,800 stores.

During her official trip of Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in October 2018, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, wore a pair of Veja trainers to watch a sailing competition during the Invictus Games.

The company began collaborating with Rick Owens, Madewell, and Lemaire in 2019.

Veja is owned by Veja Fair Trade SARL.

Does Veja publish a satisfactory Environmental Report?

Veja’s website features a wide variety of sustainability sections that show transparency regarding the company’s products and their origins. There is also a report on its carbon footprints that lists emissions but doesn’t specify any goals for reducing them. The usage of recycled plastic in its shoes is discussed on the ‘Upcycling’ page. There is also a ‘Limits’ section that talks about the brand’s sustainability restrictions. Although Veja makes no mention of any specific goals, the company is praised for its excellent environmental transparency and its involvement in the creation of distinctively sustainable goods.

Veja’s use of Sustainable Materials

Veja ranks well for its use of Sustainable Materials. Veja sell organic cotton laces certified by GOTS, whilst the shoes contain a mix of sustainable materials including organic cotton, recycled polyester and sugarcane.

Does Veja make Vegan shoes?

Yes, Veja is well-known for making Vegan shoes. The product’s material list contains no animal products or by-products. See the Veja Vegan range here.

Veja and its Code of Conduct: protecting the rights of workers

Whilst Veja’s Code of Conduct is robust, this shoe brand does not mention Ethical Trading Initiatives, and therefore does not receive a top rating in this category. To improve its Ethical Rating, this brand should mention its adherence to and policies on Ethical Trading to protect the rights of workers right across its supply chain and all scopes of the business.

How could Veja improve its Ethical Rating The Good Shopping Guide’s Shoes & Trainers: Ethical Comparison Ratings Table by applying for Ethical Accreditation, which would open the company up for even further investigation, and clarify its stance on Ethical Trading Initiatives.

If your shoes and trainers brand values ethics and sustainability, why not check out The Good Shopping Guide‘s Ethical Accreditation? Increase customer and investor confidence and stand out from the greenwash.