Rubber Sandal (pair)

Material Composition Assumptions

A typical pair of rubber sandals weighs approximately 300 grams and consists of the following components:

• Rubber outsole: 180g (60%) - provides the main sole structure and traction surface
• Synthetic fabrics or polyester upper: 45g (15%) - forms the straps and upper components
• EVA or polyurethane foam midsole: 30g (10%) - adds cushioning when present in design
• Glues and adhesives: 30g (10%) - bonds various components together
• Dyes and coatings: 15g (5%) - provides color and surface treatments

The rubber outsole represents the largest material component and contributes significantly to the overall carbon footprint through both raw material extraction and processing requirements.

Manufacturing Geography

Rubber sandals are primarily manufactured in China, which accounts for the majority of global footwear production. The manufacturing region utilizes a grid intensity of 555 gCO2/kWh, reflecting the coal-heavy electricity mix that powers most industrial facilities. This concentration occurs due to established supply chains, specialized manufacturing expertise, and proximity to raw material sources. The energy-intensive molding and curing processes required for rubber components make grid intensity a significant factor in overall emissions.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2/kWh	13.0 kg CO2e	Baseline
Vietnam	432 gCO2/kWh	11.8 kg CO2e	-9%
Brazil	348 gCO2/kWh	10.9 kg CO2e	-16%
Thailand	512 gCO2/kWh	12.6 kg CO2e	-3%
Costa Rica	98 gCO2/kWh	8.2 kg CO2e	-37%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Factory-specific electricity consumption data showing actual kWh usage per pair produced with regional grid emission factors
2. Material composition breakdown with supplier-verified weights and carbon intensities for rubber, synthetic materials, and adhesives
3. Manufacturing process documentation detailing energy usage for molding, curing, cutting, and assembly operations
4. Transportation records showing shipping distances and modes from raw material suppliers to manufacturing facility
5. End-of-life treatment data if the manufacturer operates take-back programs or designs for specific disposal methods

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions from raw material extraction through manufacturing completion, excluding consumer use and disposal phases
• Scope 2 emissions dominate due to electricity-intensive rubber molding and curing processes required in sandal manufacturing
• The functional unit is one pair of standard rubber sandals weighing approximately 300 grams
• Packaging emissions are excluded due to high variability in retail presentation formats
• Data gaps exist for small-scale artisanal producers and emerging bio-based rubber alternatives
• Simple molded designs may achieve significantly lower emissions than the baseline estimate
• Transportation emissions reflect average shipping distances from typical manufacturing regions to major consumer markets