Best practices
09 December 2025
Ethletic: a practical approach to ethical and sustainable footwear
Best practices
09 December 2025
Social dimension
Sustainable competitiveness
Textile
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Ethletic is a German sneaker brand that puts fair-trade, sustainable and ethical production at the core of its supply chain. In 2004, Ethletic commercialised the world’s first sneaker certified with the Fairtrade seal for fairly traded organic cotton. Since then, Ethletic has expanded its supply chain, developed new sneakers made of Fairtrade materials, launched repair services to increase the sneakers’ life, and introduced mechanisms to ensure fairer wages for producers.
Ethletic
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Social dimension
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Sustainable competitiveness
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Industrial ecosystems
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Textile
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Textiles ecosystem areas
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Footwear
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A Sneaker with a Story
Ethletic began in 1998 with the launch of the world's first Fairtrade-certified soccer ball. The brand has since expanded into footwear, producing sneakers that emphasise ethical manufacturing. Ethletic regularly collaborates with artists, musicians, designers, and activists on limited editions and campaigns focused on fairness, sustainability, and cultural exchange. These partnerships serve to communicate the brand's values and connect with different audiences.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Ethletic’s sneakers are manufactured using recycled rubber, organic cotton, and natural materials sourced from sustainable plantations. The soles use FSC-certified rubber, and the organic cotton is Fairtrade-certified. The brand continues to use low-impact materials as part of its approach to reducing carbon emissions and textile waste.
In 2019, Ethletic began offering a discounted repair service through a partnership with Sneaker Rescue, a Berlin-based startup that specialises in restoring worn and damaged sneakers.This service is designed to extend the lifespan of each pair.
Ethical Production for Fairer Wages
Ethletic's sneakers are produced in Pakistan under fair working conditions, with workers receiving living wages and access to benefits through the Talon Workers Welfare Society, an organisation founded in 1998 as an NGO to improve working conditions for factory employees in Sialkot, Pakistan. This organisation empowers workers to decide how premiums from sneaker sales are allocated, funding local education, healthcare, and community projects.
In 2019, Ethletic introduced the "tip me" digital micro-donation system, which enables customers to send tips directly to workers. Each tip is transferred in full to the worker's phone, establishing a direct connection between consumers and producers.
Vegan and Animal-Friendly
Ethletic's products are PETA-approved vegan, using materials that do not involve animal products or testing. This approach aligns with the brand's focus on ethical production methods that consider both environmental sustainability and animal welfare.
Conclusion
Ethletic's business model incorporates sustainable material sourcing, fair labor practices, product repair services, and direct consumer-producer connections. These elements represent the company's approach to ethical footwear production and its position within the footwear sector's development towards more responsible business practices.
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