Who is VEJA, the eco-brand that makes sustainable development go viral?
VEJA is a different kind of sneaker, combining social projects, economic justice and ecological materials. The two founders Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion obsessively cultivate a model that respects people and the planet. Since 2019, they've even been making eco-friendly running shoes using recycled and bio-sourced materials. An innovative design carried out in Brazil, where their factories respect workers' rights.
VEJA means "look" in Brazilian. The brand encourages us to look beyond the sneaker and not choose between design and social impact. They're not just sneakers, they're a whole manufacturing process. 100% transparent involving Brazilian and Peruvian producer associations.
Today, VEJA relies onupcycling and uses organic cotton for canvas and laces, Amazonian rubber for soles and a range of fair-trade, organic and innovative materials made from recycled plastic bottles and polyester. All of this is done with the utmost economic fairness to those involved in the production chain.
As a result, VEJA sneakers cost 5 times more to produce than other brands. A telling figure: a VEJA would cost 3 times less to produce in a Chinese factory (€18.21 in its Brazilian factories vs. €5.3 in China).
Transparent performance sneakers
Since December 2018, VEJA has been certified B Corp with a score of 82.4 (see VEJA's B Corp certification). This certification assesses a company's overall impact through 300 questions on wages, suppliers, team, environment, workplace and governance.
But there's still a long way to go, and B Corp is there to support them.
VEJA launches its first eco-friendly running gear in 2019: CONDOR
Based on the observation that 99 % of runnings today are made of plastic, and after 4 years of R&D, VEJA is launching its first eco-friendly pair of running shoes in 2019. The Condor is the first post-oil running shoe to combine performance with recycled and biobased materials.
Is no advertising possible?
VEJA and sustainable development with ZERO advertising. Is that possible these days? The brand has taken the gamble and eliminated all marketing costs. While 70% of the cost of a major brand sneaker is allocated to advertising, VEJA has decided to invest "in reality rather than fiction". The aim: to invest more in the well-being of the people who produce the sneakers in the fields and factories. Isn't that great?
Find VEJA runnings for 48H on PrivateSportShop ! PS :-10% EXTRA with code VEJA10