Introducing a Blue & Green friend: Ipanema Flip Flops

Each day we’re introducing one, two or three of our new affiliate friends. If you click through the link in this article, the link is tracked and may generate a small payment to us. Sometimes the payment is per click, per user, per application, per accepted application or any combination of the above. That payment funds us so we can grow and encourage even more readers to live, spend and invest sustainably. Today it’s the turn of Ipanema Flip Flops.

Ipanema Flip Flops is the largest UK website for Ipanema flipflops sandals. All Ipanemas are made from a unique soft recyclable PVC which are safe, comfortable and vegetarian friendly.

The brand is figure headed by World Supermodel Gisele Bundchen who not only promotes the brand but designs some of the styles and, with Ipanema, contributes part of the profits from her designs to environmental charities protecting the rainforests of Brazil and the WWF.

Ipanema is also an ethical company that recycles 99% of manufacturing residue, does not employ anyone under the age of 16 and does not subcontract to unregulated Companies. The Ipanema brand is booming worldwide with public brand awareness growing rapidly. The site offers a great range of Ipanema flipflops and sandals, and will always be the first with new lines.

iPANEMA shoes are produced with a strong ethical standpoint. Wherever possible, processes are chosen on merits conducive to minimising harm to the environment. Here are just some of the ways in which this is achieved:-

The entire range uses 100% synthetic materials (this means they are suitable for vegans too).

99% of any “waste” from the production process is recycled – meaning there is virtually no waste.

Melflex plastic lasts far longer than ordinary rubber flip flops, however, should you decide it is time for a new pair they can be recycled due to the cleverly designed and patented PVC. Rubber flip flops are much more difficult to recycle due to rubber being produced using crude oil.

The production processes are tightly controlled, so you can be confident that everything is done properly.

All employees are adults who are treated properly.

Alongside the high profile work alongside Gisele Bundchen, iPANEMA continues to work with charities and foundations for the preservation of the environment.

Fun Flip Flop Facts

The term ‘flip flop’ has been used since around 1972 to describe what would otherwise be called a thong sandal. It gets its more poetic name from the sound that is made by walking in them, making ‘flip flop’ an example of onomatopoeia.

In its most basic form, a flip flop is an open piece of footwear with a thong toe-strap that sits between the big and second toes. This style of footwear has been worn by many cultures throughout the world, originating in Egypt as early as 4000 BC. Much debate rages over whether it was Morris Yock, a New Zealander, or John Cowie, an Englishman (living in Hong Kong), who was first to think of creating a synthetic version of the traditional Japanese woven soled zori or jonge sandals. Nowadays, the flip flop takes on far more diverse designs but the theory is still the same: a thong-strap connected to a sole. Rubber remains the most common material to make the flip flop, however, their modern, fantastic, PVC plastic is most certainly the best.

Here’s what they are known as in different countries…

Jandals (New Zealand)
Chappal (Hawaii)
Qainchi Chappals (India/Pakistan)
Thongs (Australia and Canada)
Slops (South Africa)
Ojotas (Spain)
Chanceletas (Central America)
Chinelos (Brazil)