In a world where environmental and social challenges are at the forefront, companies and professionals must rethink the way they consume, produce, and equip themselves. Safety shoes, essential for protecting workers' feet, are evolving to meet new consumer expectations, becoming a more sustainable piece of equipment.
In this article, we explain why choosing eco-designed safety shoes is essential.
Eco-designed safety shoes: towards more sustainable PPE
Eco-design, although increasingly discussed in industrial practices, is often misunderstood or reduced to simplified concepts.
In reality, it is a comprehensive, multi-criteria approach.
According to ADEME, eco-design aims to reduce the negative impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, without ever compromising its original functional qualities.
For safety shoes, this approach goes beyond selecting so-called "eco-friendly" materials. It involves rethinking the entire value chain: material selection, manufacturing processes, transportation methods, as well as product use and end-of-life management.
Producing more sustainable PPE is not just an option; it is a necessity to meet future challenges.
At Lemaitre, we recognized these challenges as early as 2017 with the construction of a new logistics center and a 4.0 factory, allowing us to significantly improve our energy efficiency while modernizing our production processes. Thanks to these investments, we reduced our emissions per pair by 31% between 2019 and 2022 (on scopes 1 and 2).
In 2022, we took another major step with the launch of our internal Lemaitre Safety Green label: eco-designed safety shoes combining material innovation with durability in line with ISO 20345 standards. This was followed by the introduction of the Lemaitre Circular pilot project, an ambitious circular economy program aimed at giving a second life to worn LSG safety shoes.
But we’ll talk more about that later.
What are the benefits of an eco-designed safety shoe?
For companies: a strategic and responsible choice
For companies, equipping employees with eco-designed safety shoes is a strategic choice aligned with today’s values.
Integrating eco-designed products into purchasing policies demonstrates a genuine commitment to corporate social responsibility. Beyond internal actions, this commitment is a powerful lever for enhancing brand image among partners, clients, and employees.
Moreover, as sustainability regulations and greenhouse gas emission targets become stricter, adopting eco-designed equipment allows companies to stay ahead of these changes. It is also a way to attract and retain talent who share these values.
For workers: durable, high-performance equipment
For workers, choosing eco-designed safety shoes means opting for equipment that combines lightness, comfort, and durability, while meeting the demanding ISO 20345 standard.
Comfort is also at the heart of their design, thanks to the integration of innovative technologies. At Lemaitre, for example, Memory Foam insoles adapt perfectly to the shape of the foot, providing optimal comfort throughout the day. This is especially valuable for workers who wear their shoes for long hours, reducing fatigue and the discomfort often associated with prolonged use.
Lemaitre Safety Green (LSG): Eco-designed safety shoes
By launching our internal Lemaitre Safety Green (LSG) label, we aimed to go beyond traditional standards. The goal was not just to reduce our environmental impact but to offer a truly sustainable and high-performance alternative to conventional equipment.
A range designed for durability
Lemaitre Safety Green (LSG) models follow a strict set of specifications, incorporating rigorous criteria for material selection, sourcing, and manufacturing.
In compliance with ISO 14021:2016, the Lemaitre Safety Green label ensures that our environmental claims are verifiable, transparent, and credible.
We are committed to favoring short supply chains: over 80% of the materials used in LSG footwear come from Europe or the Mediterranean basin. Additionally, soles are injected directly in our Alsace factory, reducing transport needs while supporting local job creation. Furthermore, recycled materials play a key role, with 25–30% of each shoe’s total weight consisting of recycled or reclaimed components.
This approach demonstrates that it is possible to reduce the use of virgin raw materials while still complying with EN ISO 20345:2022 standards.
Models adapted to all needs
Today, Lemaitre Safety Green products are available in five models, each designed to meet the specific needs of different industries.
For example, the PLANET S3S model is ideal for those seeking a lightweight, modern safety shoe, perfect for urban or industrial environments. Its upper, made from recycled PET polyester, and its ergonomic sole provide unmatched comfort while meeting the strictest safety standards.
For demanding professions such as construction (BTP), the LEVANTE S3S model offers ultimate protection and durability. Made from high-resistance leather with a composite fiber toe cap, these shoes ensure optimal safety in tough environments.
To meet the expectations of women, we recently introduced the EVA S3S model, designed to combine elegance, comfort, and durability.
All Lemaitre Safety Green models are made with recycled materials, including:
- A water-repellent microfiber and textile upper, composed of 90% recycled PET, offering lightness, breathability, and durability (origin: Italy).
- A bamboo and 100% recycled polyester lining, ensuring optimal comfort (origin: Spain).
- An insole with a textile cover made of 85% recycled PET, combined with PU foam made from 73% production scraps (origin: Spain).
- 100% recycled eyelets and a puncture-resistant insert containing 78% recycled materials (origin: Italy).
- Laces entirely made from recycled materials (origin: Spain).
- An outer sole made of polyurethane, incorporating recycled polyol from our production waste (origin: Italy, injection: France).
Lemaitre Circular Pilot Project
With our Lemaitre Circular pilot project, launched in 2023, we are taking things even further.
What is Lemaitre Circular?
Lemaitre Circular is much more than just a recycling program; it is a comprehensive and innovative circular economy approach, designed to give a second life to Lemaitre Safety Green (LSG) safety shoes.
Specifically, Lemaitre Circular is based on three key steps:
- Collection of used Lemaitre Safety Green safety shoes.
- Sorting to identify reusable materials.
- Recovery and repurposing of materials to create new products.
Collection of LSG safety shoes
We work closely with our distributors by providing them with "Pallbox" collection boxes, designed to retrieve Lemaitre Safety Green (LSG) safety shoes. These boxes, which can hold up to 70 pairs, are then returned to our factory in Alsace once they are full.
Sorting the shoe components
Once the shoes are received, we sort them to identify the components that can be reused and recycled based on their condition.
Recycling the shoes
The shoe soles are carefully recovered, cleaned, and sorted in our factory. They are then mixed with production waste to create a new sustainable raw material, which will be used in the manufacturing of LSG safety shoes.
Benefits for users and companies
Participating in the Lemaitre Circular project is more than just an environmental gesture; it is a sustainable and responsible approach that benefits everyone.
For companies, it simplifies waste management. No need to transport used shoes to a waste disposal site—our convenient collection system saves time while providing an eco-friendly solution.
This initiative is also an opportunity to enhance corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSR). By choosing eco-designed solutions, companies not only reduce their environmental impact but also strengthen their brand image. Employees, clients, and partners will recognize them as engaged and forward-thinking players.
By joining Lemaitre Circular, you become an active contributor to a virtuous cycle. This initiative reduces waste, minimizes resource depletion, and supports the transition to a circular economy, which is essential for a more sustainable future.
Conclusion
Eco-designed safety shoes represent a crucial evolution in the field of personal protective equipment. By combining safety, comfort, and eco-responsibility, they align perfectly with the expectations of both companies and workers while contributing to a more sustainable future.
At Lemaitre, our commitment through the Safety Green range and the Lemaitre Circular pilot project demonstrates that innovation and responsibility can go hand in hand.
By choosing LSG safety shoes, you are opting for more than just protective equipment. You are actively participating in an environmental commitment, without ever compromising on quality or safety.