The family-owned company, Okabashi, has been leading the charge in responsible, sustainable footwear for nearly 35 years. The company’s eco-conscious approach is a top priority, and now, Okabashi has earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label.

Founded in 1984, Okabashi is a family owned and operated American-made shoe company with a focus on foot health, a better environment, and a better economy. Okabashi shoes, which are available for both men and women, are revered not only for their comfort and durability but also for their eco-conscious approach. Okabashi’s Buford, Georgia factory is a near-zero waste facility, and materials are plant-based and 100-percent recyclable. Since the company’s founding, they have sold more than 35 million pairs of shoes, and show no signs of slowing down.

Now, Okabashi’s use of a soy-based plasticizer has led the company to earn the USDA Certified Biobased Product label on a number of their styles. The USDA Biobased Product label communicates a product’s biobased content, which is the portion of a product that comes from a renewable source, such as plant, animal, marine, or forestry feedstocks. Utilizing renewable, biobased materials displaces the need for non-renewable petroleum-based chemicals. Biobased products, through petroleum displacement, have played an increasingly important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate global climate change.

Okabashi styles that have earned the Biobased Product label include, but are not limited to: the Cross Strap, the Surf, the Gardenia, the Venice, the Eurosport, the Milan, the Copenhagen, the Torino, and the Maui. Okabashi shoes can be shopped at Okabashi.com.