As well as being vegan, the shoes are designed to have a minimal impact on the planet. They come in a recyclable and biodegradable paper box made from recovered fibre. The cruelty-free shoes' uppers are made from Pinatex, a pineapple leaf-derived material, which is made without any animal products and coloured using plant-based dyes. Pinatex is produced as a by-product of the existing pineapple growing industry. Unlike leather production, which uses a lot of water and requires chemicals for the tanning process, Pinatex allows farmers to make money from a waste product that would otherwise not be put to use. "Pinatex is a material that is completely cradle to cradle, it substitutes leather that has a very heavy environmental and welfare impact, and it brings new income streams to subsistence farmers, allowing them to fully utilise their crops," said Ananas Anam, its manufacturer.