The sneaker that plants trees. You buy one pair and eco-friendly shoe brand CARIUMA plants 2 trees.

From designing to curating materials responsibly, to shipping and giving back to the environment, CARIUMA puts the planet as their first priority.

Here’s everything you need to know about this innovative brand – from their brand story to their manufacturing process!

Cariuma Brand Story

CARIUMA was born out of a shared passion for sneakers and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Founded by Fernando Porto and David Python, two friends who were disillusioned by the environmental impact of the fashion industry, CARIUMA set out to redefine the way sneakers are made.

Drawing inspiration from their Brazilian heritage and the vibrant culture of Rio de Janeiro, they embarked on a journey to create footwear that marries style with sustainability.

“We knew the industry-standard “cool-classic” sneakers were really uncomfortable and that the big corporations weren’t socially responsible and didn’t really care about sustainability in an active way. We also felt we had a duty to take a stance against the wasteful practices inherent in fast fashion. It was vital for us to reinvent the sneaker game.” 

Reforestation Program

Fast fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world.

By creating a shoe that gives back to people and planet, CARIUMA embeds impact into every purchase.

They chose to start their charitable giveback in Brazil, Fernando & David’s home country. To date they’ve planted over 2 million trees – with 100 native species over 665 hectares  of land. And this is just the beginning. 

Their reforestation projects work with indigenous peoples across the Brazilian rainforest to leverage their knowledge while generating work opportunities for local communities. Through this reforestation, they are also restoring biological diversity and protecting countless endangered species that call the Brazilian rainforest home. 

“The partnership with CARIUMA gave us the opportunity to work not only with the ecological aspects of the restoration, but also bringing the social component to the same level of importance as the fulfillment of the restoration goals.” Severino Ribeiro, CEPAN Director 

The three main reforestation methods used are….

• Direct Sowing: this method plants native and non-native seeds directly in the ground. These seeds are selected according to the region they’re planted in to mimic the natural diversity of the area.
• Assisted Natural Regeneration: these sites are a bit more managed with techniques like grazing control, controlling ants and invasive grassing, fencing, seedling planting, and improving soil fertility. 
• Tree Nursery: in these sites, seedlings are supported every step of the way. The seedlings are prepared in a controlled environment to help them grow and thrive long term. 

Sustainability Initiatives

At the heart of CARIUMA are its sneakers – meticulously designed and crafted to embody the perfect blend of comfort, style, and sustainability. From classic silhouettes to modern iterations, each pair of CARIUMA sneakers tells a story of craftsmanship and conscientious design. 

Then they pair these fantastic sneakers with truly meaningful sustainability initiatives.

Mindful Materials

By harnessing the power of materials like organic cotton, bamboo, cork, and recycled rubber, CARIUMA is able to minimize its environmental footprint without compromising on quality or style. Plus, they use exclusively Bluesign-certified chemicals to dye their materials – which means no hazardous chemicals and reduced water usage.

To ship their orders, they use single box packaging (aka the shoe box is the shipping box) filled with 100% recycled and recyclable paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. That means you get a totally plastic-free unboxing experience! 

65% of their products are 100% vegan. Since 2020, they’ve increased their vegan shoe offerings from 43% to 65%. This highlights their mission to evolve with the needs of the customers… and never stop innovating. 

Factories & Operations

CARIUMA’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the products themselves. The brand also places a strong emphasis on ethical labor practices and community engagement. 

They ensure that their factories’ workers make a comfortable, living wage with a priority on work-life balance. Based on the International Labor Organization (ILO) minimum wage policy guide, the average wage paid by CARIUMA supply partners is 79% above the legal minimum wage, and the lowest wage is 47% above the minimum wage. 

They also have great traceability into their suppliers!

• Tier-1 Suppliers: 100% Traceability into their Footwear Manufacturers
• Tier-2 Suppliers: 85% Traceability into their Raw Material Processors, Mills, Knitting, Packaging, Outsole Factory and Components in General
• Tier-3 Suppliers: 59% Traceability into their Yarns, Polymers and Chips

Certified B Corp

Like Karma Wallet, CARIUMA is a Certified B Corporation. This process has allowed them to assess what they’ve done right, where they are now, and how they can evolve into the future. They are always improving their products and practices with the earth and you in mind. 

CARIUMA & Karma Wallet 

In a world where fast fashion reigns supreme and environmental concerns are ever-present, brands like CARIUMA are a breath of fresh air. With their commitment to sustainability, style, and social responsibility, CARIUMA is not just a footwear brand – it’s a movement. 

So, if you’re looking for sneakers that look good, feel good, and do good for the planet, look no further than CARIUMA. 

We’re proud to have CARIUMA as part of the Karma Collective, a community of brands offering Karma Wallet Card members exclusive cashback rewards. Ready to get started? Get your Karma Wallet Card below!