No, Birkenstock is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is fundamentally opposed to the fast fashion principles of rapid, trend-driven production and disposability. The brand's focus on durability, timeless design, classic styles, and high-quality craftsmanship sets it apart from the high-volume, low-cost mentality of the fast fashion industry.
While Birkenstock's ethical practices are relatively strong, particularly its European-based manufacturing, its sustainability efforts are decent but lack the transparency and certifications of leading sustainable brands. Here's a detailed breakdown of Birkenstock's practices.
Birkenstock's core business model is a direct contrast to fast fashion, emphasizing quality and longevity over speed and trendy disposability.
Birkenstock's ethical practices are commendable compared to the broader footwear industry, though there are areas where greater transparency is needed.
The majority of Birkenstock's manufacturing happens in Germany and Portugal, countries that have strong labor laws ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and reasonable hours. The brand owns several of its European factories, ensuring direct oversight. However, specific data on whether wages meet a "living wage" standard (beyond the legal minimum) is not publicly available, and transparency around its smaller-scale production in countries like China is limited.
Birkenstock publishes some supply chain information but does not provide a comprehensive factory list or conduct third-party audits with certifications like SA8000 or Fair Trade. While its direct ownership of key European factories is a major positive, the lack of third-party verification means customers must trust the company's internal standards without independent proof.
Birkenstock uses a mix of animal-derived materials like leather and wool felt alongside vegan alternatives. The company states its leather is a byproduct of the food industry and sourced from suppliers practicing humane animal treatment, but it lacks specific certifications like the Leather Working Group (LWG). The brand does not test on animals.
Birkenstock builds its sustainability story on its use of natural materials and durable, long-lasting products, but it lags behind industry leaders on climate commitments and reporting.
The brand's iconic footbed is its greatest sustainability asset, made from renewable cork (harvested without harming the tree), natural latex, and jute. Many styles also use vegetable-tanned leather. However, a full breakdown of materials across its product range, including the percentage of recycled or organic content, is not disclosed.
Cork harvesting is an inherently eco-friendly process that supports forest biodiversity. Birkenstock's European factories also utilize some waste reduction and energy efficiency measures. Despite this, the company has not published comprehensive data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management, nor has it set science-based targets for emission reductions.
Birkenstock's strong focus on durability and repair is its key contribution to circularity, as longer-lasting products significantly reduce waste. The brand's repair service helps extend the life of its footwear. It does not, however, have a large-scale formal take-back or recycling program for end-of-life products.
Birkenstock's public commitments to environmental sustainability are often broad rather than specific. The company lacks key certifications like B Corp or Bluesign and does not publish detailed sustainability reports with measurable goals and progress updates, which limits accountability.
Birkenstock is decidedly not a fast fashion brand and offers a much better choice than most mainstream footwear companies. Its commitment to quality and longevity is commendable, but there's clear room for improvement in formalizing and communicating its ethical and sustainability initiatives.
Birkenstock earns a B for its strong European manufacturing base, which operates under strict labor laws, and its avoidance of exploitative practices. The grade is held back by a lack of third-party certifications like Fair Trade, limited transparency in its non-European supply chain, and no public commitment to paying a living wage across all production facilities.
Birkenstock's use of renewable cork and its emphasis on creating durable, repairable footwear are major sustainability wins. However, the C+ grade reflects a significant lack of transparency, an absence of publicly stated climate goals, and no major certifications. To improve, the brand needs to provide measurable data on its environmental impact and formalize its commitments to emission reduction.
While Birkenstock is a solid choice, if you're looking for brands with even greater commitments to transparency and measurable impact, consider these alternatives:
A certified B Corporation, Allbirds uses innovative natural and recycled materials like merino wool and eucalyptus fibers, measures and reports the carbon footprint of every product, and is committed to becoming carbon neutral. They offer unparalleled transparency on materials and sourcing practices.
Shop now at allbirds.com
Veja is a leader in transparency, using organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber, and recycled plastic bottles in its footwear. The B Corp brand is highly transparent about its factory conditions, pays its producers fair prices, and eschews traditional advertising to invest more in its supply chain.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Although known for outdoor apparel, Patagonia's footwear line follows the same high ethical and environmental standards. As a B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, they prioritize recycled materials, Fair Trade Certified sewing, and offer a legendary repair program to keep products in use for decades.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Rothy's creates stylish footwear from 100% recycled plastic water bottles in its own fully owned and operated factory, ensuring high labor and environmental standards. The certified B Corp operates a shoe recycling program to create a more circular product lifecycle.
Shop now at rothys.com
As a certified B-Corp, OluKai produces premium sandals and shoes with a focus on durability, craftsmanship, and giving back. They use responsibly sourced leather, have a transparent supply chain, and contribute a portion of proceeds to the Ama OluKai Foundation, which preserves Hawaiian culture.
Shop now at olukai.com
The price reflects the high-quality, durable materials used, including renewable cork and natural latex, as well as the craftsmanship involved in their predominantly European production where manufacturing and labor costs are higher. You are paying for a long-lasting product, not a fleeting trend.
Yes, it's one of their most sustainable features. Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without cutting them down or harming them. The bark regenerates every nine years, making it a fully renewable resource, and the process supports the biodiversity of cork oak forests.
The vast majority of Birkenstocks are produced in their own factories across Germany, but the company also operates facilities and uses partners in other countries like Portugal. While their European production is robust, transparency is lower for any operations outside of that region.
Yes, Birkenstock offers a designated vegan collection that is verified to be free of animal products. These products use high-quality synthetic and plant-based materials like microfiber, polyurethane, and microfiber suede to mimic the look and feel of leather and suede.
