Perth Students Step into Sustainable Future with Mushroom-Based School Shoes
While leather shoes remain mandated by most private institutions across Australia, a growing number of western suburbs teenagers in Perth are breaking with tradition this school year. These environmentally conscious students are opting for greener footwear alternatives that challenge conventional uniform policies.
Innovative Footwear Gains School Acceptance
Iona Presentation College student Milla Hague made headlines when she walked into year 11 classes wearing shoes crafted from mushrooms, successfully navigating her school's strict uniform requirements. This pioneering move represents a significant shift in how educational institutions approach sustainable fashion choices.
According to podiatrist and Cottesloe local Paul Griffin, several prominent Perth schools have embraced trialling these planet-friendly alternatives. Scotch College in Swanbourne and John XXIII College in Mount Claremont have joined Iona Presentation College in exploring sustainable footwear options for their students.
The Environmental Cost of Traditional Footwear
Griffin, founder of Perth start-up Make Good, is tackling what he describes as a product category "quietly fuelling global waste." While leather shoes have long been the fashion norm due to their durability, Griffin highlights their hidden environmental costs that became apparent during his time living in Europe before the pandemic.
Research reveals staggering statistics about global shoe production:
- 23 billion pairs of shoes are produced annually worldwide
- Over 90% of these end up in landfill
- Footwear contributes approximately 1.4% of global annual emissions
- Traditional shoes release microplastics and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment
"Broadly speaking, leather shoes are super toxic for the environment," Griffin explained. "Footwear remains one of the least scrutinised corners of the fashion industry despite its significant environmental impact."
Developing a Sustainable Alternative
Concerned about these environmental effects, Griffin launched Make Good's Derby shoe, designed by respected Antwerp product designer Aisha Kuijk. The team spent three-and-a-half years refining a plant-based construction that balances durability with reduced environmental impact.
The innovative Derby shoe features:
- A certified biodegradable plant-based upper made from mycelium fibres
- Cellulose, natural latex and organic cotton components
- No petrochemicals in its construction
- A 51% biodegradable natural rubber outsole
"The only part of our shoe that is not certified biodegradable is the outsole," Griffin noted. "That's because we need the durability, but we're working toward full biodegradability as technology advances."
Student Demand Drives Sustainable Change
Griffin believes the timing is perfect for sustainable school footwear, noting that "sustainability and climate change is important to young people." He observes that today's students value environmental responsibility highly, with many participating in climate change protests and seeking purposeful career choices.
The Make Good team has created a unisex shoe that appeals particularly to older students who are developing their personal values and fashion preferences. Griffin's own children wear the shoes to their Perth schools, with his son at Scotch College and his daughters at PLC, demonstrating their practical suitability for school environments.
The Future of Sustainable Footwear
Looking ahead, Griffin hopes to expand the availability of sustainable footwear options in more schools next year. He acknowledges the challenges of moving away from traditional materials, noting that "plastics are perfect, right, and cheap?" but emphasizes that we cannot continue using them due to their environmental impact.
The Make Good Derby retails for $299 and represents what Griffin describes as "pretty much a world first" in sustainable footwear design. As awareness grows about the environmental costs of traditional materials, more educational institutions may follow Perth's lead in embracing innovative, eco-friendly alternatives for school uniforms.
