Oka-B
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The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. Below are a few factors influencing this brand's score:
overview
about
Oka-B produces U.S. made footwear with recycled and bio-based materials in a closed-loop, recyclable system. Highlights
• Closed-loop recycling program
• USDA BioPreferred certified materials
• Vegan and cruelty-free footwear
• Upcycled materials
sustainability
details:
Packaging
Oka-B provides little public information about its packaging sustainability. There is no clear evidence that the brand uses recyclable, compostable, or certified sustainable packaging materials.
Ingredient Sustainability
All Oka-B shoes are molded from
a proprietary plastic blend that contains 45% U.S.-grown soy by weight. The material is also recyclable, and the brand operates a reuse system.
The brand states that the average pair of Oka-B shoes this year contains 15–25% recycled material (from reground factory scraps or returned shoes). This reduces reliance on new plastic and supports circularity. Moreover, the proprietary material has received USDA BioPreferred certification, verifying its biobased content.
The material, while recyclable, is not biodegradable, meaning worn-out shoes could persist for centuries in landfills.
Energy Use and Footprint
Local manufacturing is a cornerstone of the brand: all Oka-B footwear is made in their factory in Buford, Georgia, USA. By sourcing and manufacturing domestically, Oka-B avoids emissions from shipping raw materials internationally.
Despite these positives, Oka-B provides little quantitative information on its energy usage or emissions reduction initiatives. There are no published figures on factory energy sources (e.g. whether they use renewable energy) or greenhouse gas emissions.
Waste Management
All production scraps and off-cuts are reused: any excess plastic from the molding process is collected, ground up, and melted into new products rather than discarded. The brand also runs a take-back recycling program for worn-out Oka-B products. Customers can send their well-loved Oka-B shoes back to the factory at end-of-life. As an incentive, Oka-B thanks participants with a discount on their next purchase.
Business Model
Oka-B's business model leans toward “slow fashion” principles, emphasizing quality, longevity, and mindful production over rapid turnover. The company does not operate like a trend-driven fast fashion brand; instead, it focuses on timeless comfortable styles.
non-toxic
details:
According to the brand and third-party sources, Oka-B's proprietary material is free of several major toxins: it contains no phthalates, no BPA, no latex, and no toxic heavy metals. An MSDS for Oka-B's material confirms that hazardous chemical components are “bound within the polymer matrix”, not readily available for exposure or bioaccumulation.
social responsibility
details:
Oka-B's labor practices benefit from its U.S.-based manufacturing and a company culture that values employees. All Oka-B footwear is handcrafted in Buford, Georgia, by the company's own workers. This domestic production means Oka-B workers are protected under stringent U.S. labor laws for wages, workplace safety, and rights. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Okabashi/Oka-B not only kept their workers employed but even donated thousands of shoes to frontline healthcare workers.
Oka-B is a 100% vegan footwear brand, which makes its impact on animals very low. The shoes contain no animal-derived materials. Instead, all components are synthetic or plant-based (soy).
For over a decade, the company has partnered with the non-profit Soles4Souls to donate footwear to people in need.
