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Terra Plana: Flat Is Phat!

Feb 25, 2008 Author: Jenn Breckenridge | Filed under: Behind the Label, Get Dressed in Green

Technically Terra Plana means flat land, but you’ll be hardpressed to find much flatness with this shoe manufacturing anomaly. Inspired by a deep desire for longterm ecological survival, Terra Plana publishes the life cycle assessment for every pair of shoes they produce. They design their shoes with reparability, lightness (to reduce shipping impact), anatomic design, and durability in mind. According to Terra Plana, they “minimize waste and toxin use and maximize product use and love.” They produce their line using chrome-free and vegetable tanned leathers, recycled materials of all sorts (from rubber to old quilts and parachutes), and pure latex soling materials.

Terra Plana has also debuted a more eco-conscious leather product called E-leather. It’s a ‘re-woven’ blend of leather and textile fibers practically indistinguishable from good quality leather. E-Leather is produced with closed loop water usage and best practice pollution prevention methods. These people clearly care about crafting beautiful fashion statements using only the most modern and sustainable methods possible.

And how do they look? So, so hot! Whether you’re in Milano, Madrid, or the Mid-West these unique sneaks and heels will be turning heads. Priced from $50-300, a pair of Terra Plana’s is a worthwhile investment in a company that’s setting the bar for eco-conscious manufacturing, as well as your wardrobe.

If you want to check out a sneak peak of Terra Plana 2008, go to smartplanet.com for a look at the super-sexy strappy heels for Spring.

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4 Responses for "Terra Plana: Flat Is Phat!"

Jenn Breckenridge February 26th, 2008 at 4:26 pm 1

I love this company! They are true leaders in the evolution of the manufacturing industry.
Mike Hawes February 29th, 2008 at 3:44 pm 2

What’s sustainable about manufacturing in China? Try calling Terra Plan for details about their Chinese facilities. Dead end. Now, if TP wants to show China how to perfect low impact manufacturing, that’s great! IF they sell their product in China instead of shipping all to Europe and U.S.. The number of miles TP raw materials and finished product have to travel more than offsets any ‘closed loop’ propaganda the company touts. Fact is, they manufacture in China for one reason: TO SAVE MONEY.

I’m officially crying BS on this company.
Jenn Breckenridge March 12th, 2008 at 5:22 pm 3

You have many good points Mike and I appreciate the critical thinking here. I noticed that Terra Plana is the only company I’ve ever seen be transparent about their Chinese manufacturing. This point leads me to trust them a tad more than the hundreds of thousands that do not publicly comment on this practice. Their website states :
“Terra Plana does not have an official code of conduct for our overseas production. As a small company, we find it more effective to work directly (no agents are involved), and very closely with every factory that produces our products. We have our own team that source high quality factories that already work with major brands and have professional codes of conduct already in place with regular audits.” It’s continued here:http://www.terraplana.com/ethicalpolicy
I’d certainly be curious to hear what Terra Plana has to say. As they are based in the UK, getting them on the phone wasn’t possible during the writing of this article. I did email their NY rep, but heard nothing back.
Thanks so much for the input Mike!
The Green Initiative: Go Green Or Go Home - In The Loop March 18th, 2008 at 3:04 pm 4

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