Eco-Shoes and Bags Initiative - Ghana

The Eco-Shoes and Bags Initiative is economically empowering artisans with disabilities in Ghana to have gainful and sustainable employment by providing vocational training in shoe making, helping them to become self-sufficient by receiving regular income.

Key facts:

Over 20,000 people have benefited from this activity.

The problem

There are millions of discarded car tire stockpiles and waste materials in Ghana, which pose threats to the environment and to people’s health. Current shoe making processes use energy-draining techniques that leave huge carbon footprints and artisans with disabilities are struggling to reach larger markets.

The solution

Eco-Shoes and Bags Initiative rescues some of the millions of tires and other waste materials creating an environmental nuisance to make fashionable and comfortable shoes and bags. The shoe is made primarily from discarded car tires and recycled cloth, and the soles are made from recycled rubber. Eco- Shoes employs market-based restoration and works with local artisans with disabilities, providing them a source of livelihood and giving them opportunities to escape from poverty. The initiative reinvests in the environment by upcycling waste into something of greater use and value and seeks to build a community of conscious consumers led by a forward thinking team who believe reuse and recycling can turn trash into treasure.

Helping the planet

This 100% recycled waste reducing shoe initiative uses no glues, sealers or stitching. The shoes are unique, durable, have better grip than most shoes and last longer. The team of eco-seekers strives to create stylish, beautiful products that contribute to environmental preservation. Eco-Shoes reinvests in the environment by upcycling waste into something of greater use and value and seeks to build a community of conscious consumers led by a forward thinking team who believe reuse and recycling can turn trash into treasure.

Helping people

The production of these shoes is creating jobs which benefit individuals and the communities in which they live. The initiative supports economic creativity in Ghana, and it gives shoe artisans with disabilities a chance to make a sufficient income which helps to build up production infrastructure in Ghana. By working with the initiative, local artisans are able to access larger economies of scale and re-invest their profits to make better living standards, acquire enhanced tools and create new products. This strengthens the economy base and improve the general welfare of the community.

Scaling Up

The Eco-Shoes and Bags Initiative has the greatest potential of scaling up by replicating the success of the project in different communities in Ghana and other parts of the developing world to address challenges posed to the environment while equipping artisans with disabilities with appropriate skills to help them become self-reliant.