Allbirds has built its entire brand around sustainability. Their marketing is filled with terms like "carbon-neutral," "regenerative materials," and "planet-friendly." But how sustainable are they really? We dug into their supply chain, materials, and carbon footprint to separate fact from marketing.
The Materials: What's Actually Sustainable?
Allbirds uses three main materials in their shoes:
1. Merino Wool
Allbirds sources merino wool from New Zealand, where they claim the sheep are raised on regenerative farms. This is partially true—New Zealand has strict animal welfare standards, and many farms use regenerative practices. However, wool production still has environmental impacts: methane emissions from sheep, water usage for processing, and transportation emissions.
Sustainability Score: 7/10 (Better than synthetic, but not perfect)
2. Eucalyptus Tree Fiber (Tencel)
Allbirds calls this "tree fiber," but it's actually Tencel lyocell—a regenerated cellulose fiber made from wood pulp. The process uses a closed-loop system that recycles 99% of the chemicals used. The wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
This is genuinely more sustainable than most synthetic materials, but it's not as "natural" as Allbirds' marketing suggests. It requires significant chemical processing.
Sustainability Score: 8/10 (Good, but not as natural as claimed)
3. SweetFoam® (Sugarcane)
This is Allbirds' proprietary midsole material made from sugarcane. It's a renewable resource and captures carbon during growth. However, sugarcane farming can have negative impacts: water usage, pesticide use, and potential deforestation for plantations.
Sustainability Score: 7.5/10 (Better than petroleum-based foam, but not perfect)
Allbirds Tree Runners
Lightweight Sneakers Made with Eucalyptus Tree Fiber - Sustainable and Comfortable
Shop NowThe Carbon Footprint: The Real Numbers
Allbirds was one of the first footwear brands to label products with their carbon footprint. A typical pair of Wool Runners has a carbon footprint of 7.6 kg CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).
For comparison:
- Average running shoe: 13.6 kg CO2e
- Leather dress shoe: 15-20 kg CO2e
- Allbirds M0.0nshot Zero: 0 kg CO2e (their zero-carbon model)
So yes, Allbirds do have a lower carbon footprint than most shoes. But they're not carbon-neutral (except for the M0.0nshot). They offset some emissions through carbon credits, but the shoes themselves still produce emissions during manufacturing.
The Supply Chain: Transparency and Ethics
Allbirds is more transparent than most footwear brands. They publish their carbon footprint, disclose their material sources, and have a sustainability report. However, like most brands, they don't fully disclose their entire supply chain, including where some components are manufactured.
Their factories are primarily in China and Vietnam, which raises questions about labor practices. Allbirds claims to audit their factories, but they don't publish detailed reports like Patagonia does.
The Packaging: Actually Impressive
Allbirds uses 90% recycled cardboard for packaging, and the box can be reused or recycled. They've eliminated plastic from most of their packaging. This is genuinely better than most shoe brands.
Sustainability Score: 9/10
The Bottom Line: Are They Actually Sustainable?
Yes, but with caveats. Allbirds is more sustainable than 90% of footwear brands. They use better materials, have lower carbon footprints, and are more transparent. But they're not perfect.
The truth:
- More sustainable than traditional shoes? Yes.
- Carbon-neutral? Only the M0.0nshot model.
- Perfectly sustainable? No—no shoe is.
- Better than doing nothing? Absolutely.
The most sustainable shoe is the one you already own. But if you need new shoes, Allbirds is a solid choice for the environmentally conscious consumer. Just don't buy into the marketing hype that they're saving the planet—they're just doing less damage than most.
