A Finalist in the National Green Growth Awards for Sustainable Innovation

Sustainability in fashion is no longer just a trend—it’s an essential part of the industry’s future. As consumers become more mindful of their environmental impact, so too are brands being challenged to innovate and adopt responsible practices.

 

Here at Cocorose London, sustainability isn’t just something we talk about - it’s one of our core pillars. We're invested in our materials and how we produce our shoes, and we’re committed to making a difference. That’s why we’re absolutely thrilled that our efforts have been recognised on a national scale and we’re delighted to announce that we’ve been named a finalist in the inaugural Green Growth Awards.

Launched by Small Business Britain in partnership with BT, these awards celebrate small businesses that are not only committed to greener practices, but also proving that sustainability and commercial success go hand in hand. For us, this recognition is a huge milestone in our journey towards a more responsible and environmentally conscious future.

The winners will be announced on March 11, 2025, but no matter the outcome, we’re incredibly proud to be standing alongside other businesses that are successfully driving growth through sustainable innovation and who are making real change.

In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at why we impressed the judges with our forward-thinking approach to sustainability—particularly through the launch of our new Kew Collection, the UK’s first range of vegan trainers crafted using plant-based leathers and recycled materials - whilst delivering sustainability through a circular model and mitigating climate change.

 

The Green Growth Awards: Recognising Innovation for a Greener Future

With 5.5 million small businesses in the UK accounting for nearly half of the country’s business emissions, the need for sustainable business models has never been greater.

 

The Green Growth Awards were created to highlight businesses that are successfully integrating sustainability into their growth and, as Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, explained, “The Green Growth Awards recognise the outstanding small businesses that are not only leading the way in sustainability but are also using it to fuel innovation and growth.

 

“These businesses are proving that greener practices not only benefit the planet but also create real business success—whether through cost savings, waste reduction, or deeper customer engagement. Their passion and commitment are making a real impact on their communities and the economy.”

 

Small Business Britain’s ongoing partnership with BT empowers UK small businesses to better understand their environmental impact and embrace more sustainable practices and growth opportunities.

 

“The Green Growth Awards shine a spotlight on the small businesses that are not only driving sustainability but also setting the standard for innovation and growth" said Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, at BT.

 

“It’s truly inspiring to see how these businesses are leveraging sustainable practices to achieve real business success and create positive change in their communities. We’re really proud to support this initiative.”

 

 

The Kew Collection: A New Generation of Sustainable Footwear

The Kew Collection represents a major step forward in eco-friendly footwear and directly addresses a huge environmental issue – the lack of sustainability and recyclability of the majority of footwear – and also a societal requirement - creating eco and vegan footwear for a growing segment of environmentally-conscious women, seeking products with purpose. You can read more about our journey in sustainability in footwear on a piece we wrote about the story behind Cocorose London's Kew collection

 

Kew utilises sustainable, plant-based materials (cactus-leaf leather), innovatively creating a more responsible, non-leather alternative to PU (polyurethane) or synthetic, plastic-based vegan leather; helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assisting climate change mitigation.

 

Why Cactus Leather?

For decades, consumers looking for non-leather footwear have been limited to textiles or plastic-derived PU materials. Today, innovative, plant-based leathers offer a more responsible and sustainable alternative to PU.

 

Cactus leather is one such example and a game changer in the footwear industry. Unlike traditional synthetic materials which are made from plastics, cactus leather is a plant-based, renewable alternative, made with a high percentage of cactus leaf pulp. It offers a high-quality, luxurious feel and emulates traditional leather in its soft, pliable and durable characteristics. Furthermore, cactus plants are sustainable superstars, with the following characteristics;

• Minimal Environmental Impact

  • Cacti require very little water to grow, making them far more sustainable than many other crops used in fashion.

• CO₂ Capture

  • A 14-acre cactus plantation can absorb up to 8,000 tons of CO₂, acting as a natural carbon sink.

• Regenerative Farming

  • Only mature leaves are harvested, allowing the plant to continue growing naturally without being harmed.

By incorporating cactus leather into our trainer collection, we’re offering vegan and environmentally-conscious consumers an alternative to non-leather synthetic materials while keeping sustainability at the heart of our designs.

 

A Circular Approach to Footwear

Sustainability goes beyond just materials—it’s about considering the entire lifecycle of our shoes. We’ve always been committed to small-batch production to avoid excess waste and overproduction, and we’re continually working towards a circular fashion model to make our footprint even smaller. We wrote more about Circular Fashion in our blog beyond plastic discover the sustainable innovation behind Kew trainers 

Some of the initiatives we’re most proud of include:

• Shoe Recycling Scheme:

  • Customers can return pre-loved Cocorose shoes, ensuring they are repurposed rather than sent to landfill.

• Recycled Components

  • From recycled cork in our soles to recycled polyester laces and linings, to our recycled cardboard boxes, we’re constantly finding ways to reuse and reduce waste.

• Plant-a-Tree Initiative

  • Every purchase contributes to global reforestation efforts.

• Small-Batch Production

  • By crafting shoes in limited and controlled quantities, we avoid overproduction and unnecessary waste.

This holistic approach ensures that we’re not just eco-conscious in materials, but also in production and lifecycle management.

 

 

Beyond Sustainability: Comfort and Style

We know that sustainability doesn’t need to mean sacrificing comfort or aesthetics. That’s why we’ve meticulously designed our Kew trainers to be as comfortable and stylish as they are responsible.

• Luxury Comfort

  • With deeply cushioned and contoured footbeds and a plush, recycled polyester lining, these trainers offer all-day wearability.

• Sustainable Materials

  • Rubber soles are injected with 30% recycled cork, while the laces are crafted from recycled polyester and the majority of the upper is made with plant-based cactus leather.

• Timeless Designs

  • Available in an elegant off-white cactus leather, with new colourways including Rojo Red, Rosa, Blossom Pink, and Marino Navy. 

·      The Kew Collection offers an eco-conscious yet stylish alternative to synthetic trainers, giving you the chance to make a difference—without compromising on fashion or comfort.

 

Cocorose London’s Vision for a Greener Future

Being named a finalist in the Green Growth Awards is a major milestone and huge honour for us. It’s a recognition of the hard work, passion and commitment we’ve put into making Cocorose a more sustainable brand. But for us, this is just the beginning.

 

Our Kew Collection is testament to how innovation and eco-conscious design can come together to create a positive impact and our journey of consciously moving towards a greener future continues, with us remaining absolutely dedicated to putting the planet at the heart of your feet.

 

This dedication to sustainable innovation places Cocorose at the forefront of the eco-fashion movement, proving that ethical business practices and commercial success can indeed thrive together.

 

We truly believe that small changes lead to big impacts, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Your choices matter, and together, we can continue to make fashion more sustainable.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Sustainable Fashion

The Green Growth Awards winners will be announced on March 11, 2025, at BT’s headquarters in London. No matter what happens, we will continue pushing forward, creating beautiful, sustainable shoes that help shape a better future for our planet.

Our Kew Collection is a statement of intent, showing that fashion can evolve to meet the demands of modern sustainability while still delivering quality, comfort and timeless style.

 

As more consumers prioritise ethical, sustainable choices, our approach serves as a blueprint for the future of fashion—one that embraces innovation, respects the planet and champions responsible consumerism.

 

So, whether you’re looking for a stylish, sustainable alternative to synthetic vegan trainers or simply want to support a brand that puts the environment first, Cocorose London’s Kew Collection offers the perfect solution.

 

Step into a more sustainable future with The Kew Collection. Take a closer look at our innovative, eco-friendly trainers, created to make a difference, and without compromising on comfort or style.

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FAQ Section:

Q1: What are the Green Growth Awards?

A: The Green Growth Awards celebrate businesses that are successfully integrating sustainability into their operations and proving that eco-conscious choices can drive growth.

Q2: What makes the Kew Collection sustainable?

A: The Kew Collection is crafted using plant-based cactus leather, recycled cork soles, and eco-friendly materials, reducing environmental impact while ensuring durability and style.

Q3: Why is cactus leather better than synthetic vegan leather?

A: Unlike plastic-based PU alternatives, cactus leather is plant-based and contains a high percentage of cactus leaf pulp. It also requires significantly less water and energy to produce, making it a more sustainable choice.

Q4: How does Cocorose London promote circular fashion?

A: Our initiatives include a Shoe Recycling Scheme, the use of recycled materials, and small-batch production to minimise waste and overproduction. We have more details of the Cocorose shoe recycling scheme here.

Q5: Are the Kew Collection trainers suitable for everyday wear?

A: Absolutely! Designed with comfort in mind, they feature cushioned footbeds, recycled linings and a stylish, versatile look perfect for daily wear.