![]() If you’re buying boots that the company claims are made with recycled materials, look for certification by the Global Recycling Standard (GRS). This means looking for certifications such as OEKO-Tex, REACH, or Prop 65. Kids rainboots should absolutely be free of PFAS and other harmful chemicals. It is also difficult to recycle, making it extremely unsustainable compared to natural rubber and many other materials. Neoprene does not easily biodegrade, taking up to 100 years to break down in landfill. Neoprene is also a petroleum product, meaning it is not natural. The production of neoprene involves chloroprene, however, which can be a workplace hazard if proper protective equipment isn’t used. Neoprene is largely inert, posing little, if any, health risk to end users. Neoprene is a popular material for wetsuits, protective equipment, and in flexible rainboot uppers and cycling overshoes. It was created in 1930 by DuPont and is generally harder and stronger than natural latex while also being more water-resistant and resistant to oils and solvents. Neoprene was one of the first synthetic rubber products invented. What is neoprene, though, and is it sustainable? Is neoprene sustainable?Ī lot of kids’ boots are made with a synthetic rubber sole and neoprene sides or top tabs to make it easier to put the boots on. They will also be much better for your kids’ growing feet and for the planet they hope to live on for decades to come. Chances are, by buying a durable, quality pair of kids rainboots now, you’ll be able to reuse these or sell them down the line. If you can stretch your budget to a new pair or can find a good pair of natural rubber boots second hand (or a quality pair of recycled PVC-free boots), your wallet will thank you long-term. This is a huge waste of money and resources and can pollute the soil and waterways. Instead, they quickly break and soon end up in landfill. ![]() Most are made with virgin plastics and are not recyclable or durable. In addition to being bad for kids, these synthetic boots are also bad for the environment. These boots are also liable to expose your kid to phthalates and other chemicals of concern, with some coated in forever chemicals (PFAS) for waterproofing and some posing a risk of lead exposure. In some cases, these plastic boots can cause skin blisters and rashes as the plastic is so irritating to sensitive young skin. Most kids’ rainboots are made with cheap PVC that degrades quickly and cracks easily, is inflexible and terrible for developing and growing feet. Jump to details Non-toxic, sustainable rainboots – what to watch out for Non-toxic kid’s rainboots made from recycled materials
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