Pisaverde

PRODUCTION LOCATIONS

• Tenerife
• Canary Islands
• Spain

WORKING CONDITIONS & LIVING WAGES

Plácido Alonso, founder of the brand, leads an artisanal process where almost all stages of shoe production are manual, manufactured in his own workshop located in the Canary Islands.

The brand stands out for rescuing and reusing banana tree stems, a material usually considered waste. They have developed their own machine to extract the natural fibres from this stem, dyed and spun by hand.

Then, using traditional techniques, they take the banana fibres to a loom, creating an exclusive fabric that is incorporated into the designs and the handmade process of making unique shoes and accessories. 

Pisaverde is committed to creating unique and innovative products using banana fibres, preserving the traditions of craftsmanship and producing locally.
 

MATERIALS

• Banana tree fibre.
• Recycled leather.
• Recycled plastics and tires.
• Natural dyes.

Pisaverde is a brand that stands out for using recycled materials extracted from nature in its products. Its exclusive designs include banana fibre, recycled leather, recycled plastics and tyres, and natural dyes.

Banana fibre is one of the innovative materials that Pisaverde uses to manufacture its footwear. This material comes from the waste of the banana plant after harvesting. It is obtained by hand through a careful process that involves the search and cutting of banana tree rolls, the extraction and cleaning of the fibres, and the natural dyeing, without chemicals, before being used in the loom.

PACKAGING

Pisaverde does not disclose what packaging materials are used.

WATER USAGE & CHEMICALS

Pisaverde incorporates several environmentally conscious practices, particularly in materials. The company handcrafts its products using recycled and upcycled materials such as PET bottles, discarded leather, and old tyres — minimising reliance on virgin resources and reducing potential chemical waste. Natural dyes and plant-based fibres, such as those from banana trees, are used, which helps reduce the use of harsh synthetic dyes.

Pisaverde does not currently disclose detailed information regarding its water usage, wastewater treatment, or chemical management policies. There is no data on whether measures are in place to reduce microplastic release. 

CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN

Pisaverde promotes a shift towards a production model more aligned with a circular and sustainable economy. They strive to maximise the use of resources and raw materials while minimising the negative impact on the environment and the community.

One of the brand’s sustainable practices is to recover skins from the textile industry, giving them a second life and avoiding waste.

Pisaverde products are not made out of monomaterials; multiple material types are combined, which makes recycling or end‑of‑life processing more difficult. 

Overall, Pisaverde makes meaningful steps toward circularity, adopting mono‑material design would be a great next step to achieve more circular product design. 

CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS

Pisaverde applies circular principles by using upcycled and recycled materials. Its handcrafted production approach reflects their commitment to reducing waste and creating durable, unique products. By combining thoughtful design with artisanal craftsmanship, Pisaverde aims to offer shoes with a longer lifespan and lower environmental impact.

DISTANCE & COMPLEXITY OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Local production is essential to Pisaverde’s identity, as all its products are made in the Canary Islands. This decision benefits the local economy and ensures authenticity and the Canarian spirit in every item they create. 

Regarding sourcing materials, the banana fibre comes from a local process carried out in the Canary Islands. Likewise, for example, the soles opt for recycled plastics from suppliers on the peninsula, specifically from Alicante.

TRANSPORTATION

Pisaverde focuses on local, artisanal production based in Tenerife, which helps reduce transportation emissions associated with manufacturing. By sourcing materials locally and using recycled components, they minimise the need for long-distance shipping during production. 

Pisaverde ships its products directly to customers, primarily within Spain and Europe. Specific logistics partners or carbon offset measures are not publicly detailed.
 

Pisaverde uses recycled leather in some of its footwear models. These recycled leathers come from the textile industry and are those the fashion industry discards because they are not in season.

The brand is dedicated to recovering these skins from the textile industry, giving them a second life that might otherwise have been wasted.
 

PRODUCT DESIGN

At Pisaverde, each footwear model is unique and special, with innovative and original designs reflecting their artisans’ passion and dedication to quality.

Although they have a small stock of handcrafted footwear made slowly, taking care of every detail, they understand that each person has individual tastes and preferences. For that reason, in addition to their catalogue, they offer the option of customised pieces made to order. 

SLOW FASHION PROCESSES

With Pisaverde, you can modify existing designs, like adapting your favourite model to another size or choosing the leathers you like best from their collection. This way, each client can personalise their footwear according to their needs, which helps enhance the product’s personal value and may encourage longer use.

TRANSPARENCY ON PRODUCT

Pisaverde’s transparency as a brand is admirable. Through their website and social networks, they share graphic material explaining in detail their products and production process. 

TRANSPARENCY ON PROCESSES

Pisaverde provides information about its sustainable production methods, including the use of upcycled and natural materials and local artisanal craftsmanship in Tenerife. They are considering holding workshops to allow visits to the farm so that customers can see the process first-hand and value their craftsmanship and transparency in their creation process. These initiatives could strengthen the connection between maker and wearer, promoting awareness of slow fashion values.