Greensole on Brown Living™

Greensole

Step Towards Sustainablity

Thoughtfully chosen materials which create minimum impact on the environment and provide exceptional comfort and style.

About Greensole

Greensole is a social venture that upcycles discarded shoes to comfortable footwear and donates them to children in need. They retail eco-friendly and vegan footwear to support the social cause and also empower women through skill centres.

Brand Story

Greensole is India’s first social enterprise focused on recycling discarded footwear to create affordable, sustainable shoes while generating livelihoods for underprivileged communities. Founded with the belief that waste can be transformed into opportunity, Greensole collects used shoes, refurbishes and upcycles them, and redistributes them to those in need. For every pair recycled, Greensole not only prevents waste from ending up in landfills but also reduces carbon emissions and promotes a circular economy.

Mission Statement

To build a circular footwear ecosystem that reduces environmental impact and creates sustainable livelihood.

Impact Created

Reduces footwear waste by upcycling discarded shoes and keeping them out of landfills. Lowers environmental pollution & carbon footprint compared to manufacturing new footwear.Promotes circular economy through the reuse and recycling of materials. Provides footwear to underprivileged children, improving health, safety, and dignity, Supports education by enabling children to attend school comfortably. Improves public health by reducing foot infections and injuries

Impact Metric	Value
Overall employment created	20
% of Women Employees	10%
Number of Artisans Empowered	10

Skill Development Initiative

Greensole has established skill development centres where underprivileged women and local community members are trained in upcycling discarded footwear into new products, such as slippers and other items. These centres provide practical training and employment opportunities, empowering participants with valuable skills in shoe refurbishment and production. For example, Greensole has set up a skill centre in Noamundi, Jharkhand, to train and employ tribal women in footwear upcycling

What are the causes you support?

Upcycling Materials

What is the manufacturing process?

“Greensole collects discarded shoes, cleans and sanitizes them, and then refurbishes or upcycles their components into durable, functional footwear. Worn-out parts are recycled, and every shoe undergoes quality checks to ensure comfort and longevity. This process minimizes waste, conserves resources, and creates shoes that are both sustainable and socially impactful.”

What are the ingredients/materials you use?

Greensole Footwear primarily uses discarded shoes and their components, including soles, uppers, insoles, laces, and padding, which are cleaned, refurbished, and upcycled. Eco-friendly adhesives, stitching, and low-impact dyes are used to assemble the shoes without harming the environment. This approach ensures each pair is durable, comfortable, and sustainably made.

How do you source your raw materials/ ingredients?

Greensole Footwear sources its raw materials primarily by collecting discarded and unwanted shoes through donation drives, community programs, and corporate partnerships. Usable components like soles, uppers, insoles, and laces are sorted, cleaned, and refurbished for reuse, while worn-out parts are recycled responsibly. This sourcing method ensures a steady supply of sustainable materials while reducing waste and supporting the circular economy.

During its life and beyond, can your products be repurposed or composted at home?

Greensole footwear is designed to be repurposed or recycled at the end of its life, continuing its journey in the circular economy. While the shoes are not fully compostable at home due to synthetic components, many parts—like rubber soles and fabric uppers—can be upcycled or processed through recycling programs. This ensures minimal waste and extends the environmental impact of each pair.

Shriyans Bhandari — CEO & Co-founder, Greensole; Director, Heritage Girls School

Shriyans holds a Master’s in Entrepreneurial Leadership from Babson College and is an alumnus of Jai Hind College (Mumbai) and Mayo College (Ajmer). He is an ardent marathon runner and has authored Birds of Aravallis in association with Rajasthan Tourism and the Bombay Natural History Society.