VEJA has never been just about sneakers. The brand is all about reconstructing the very system that makes them. That's why VEJA’s materials reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical labour, and long-term impact. Here’s a look at what goes into each pair, and why it matters.

Rubber from the Amazon

The main component of VEJA’s soles is Amazonian wild rubber, a raw material that does more than just provide grip. It protects an ecosystem and supports communities.

• 50% of each sole is made from wild rubber tapped directly from the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Acre, Brazil.

• VEJA has purchased over 3,587 tons of this rubber since 2004.

• The rubber tappers, or seringueiros, are paid 3.5x the market rate, including bonuses for environmental services and product quality.

Rubber harvesting is done sustainably, allowing trees to regenerate and ensuring the forest remains untouched by logging or cattle ranching. This process is certified Fair for Life, a label that ensures long-term contracts, fair pricing, and decent working conditions.

Organic and Agroecological Cotton

VEJA’s canvas, uppers, and laces are made using 100% organic and agroecological cotton sourced directly from family farms in Brazil and Peru.

• Since 2004, VEJA has bought over 1,656 tons of this cotton.

• The brand pre-finances up to 50% of the harvest, helping protect farmers from market instability.

• In 2022 alone, VEJA purchased cotton from 1,035 families, paying 3.5x above the market rate—20.77 R$/kg.

Agroecological farming avoids pesticides, GMOs, and synthetic fertilisers. In Peru, 10% of cotton is also Regenerative Organic Certified®, a standard that prioritises soil regeneration, animal welfare, and fair working conditions.

Every bale is traceable. Cotton from Peru is GOTS-certified, while Brazilian cotton follows a participatory guarantee system, a peer-reviewed, government-backed approach to certification.

The People Behind the Materials

Most importantly, VEJA's materials are personal.

Sebastião dos Santos Pereira, a Forest Engineer raised in the Amazon, now leads VEJA’s rubber supply chain. Maria Valdenira Rodrigues, the daughter of farmers in Ceará, Brazil, helps certify and support over 1,200 farming families. Local NGOs like ESPLAR and Diaconia provide training, organic farming support, and technical expertise on the ground.

Transparency as a First Policy

VEJA’s approach to materials is built on transparency. They don’t talk about future goals, they document what’s already being done. That’s why their sneaker supply chain includes:

• Sustainable materials sourced directly from producers.

• Fair contracts that ensure stable income and long-term relationships.

• Social reintegration partnerships for warehousing and logistics in France, supporting people with disabilities through employment.

In VEJA’s words: “Reality must take over fiction.” That’s what their materials stand for, not just cleaner sneakers, but a better system behind every step.

All images: VEJA

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