Every pair of shoes relies on glue to hold everything together. But not all adhesives are created equal. Traditional shoe manufacturing often uses solvent-based adhesives. These super glues contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air.
According to the EPA, VOCs contribute to air pollution and smog and can pose serious health risks, especially in enclosed factory environments. Workers regularly exposed to these fumes may suffer from headaches, nausea, respiratory irritation, and in the long run, chronic conditions like asthma or neurological damage.
The environmental impact is just as troubling. When spilled or improperly disposed of, solvent-based glues don’t break down naturally. Instead, they contaminate soil and waterways, threatening wildlife and polluting groundwater. With high VOC content (often several hundred grams per liter), these adhesives also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and poor indoor air quality.
By contrast, water-based adhesives use water as the primary carrier instead of harsh chemicals. This simple switch significantly reduces VOC emissions, making the air safer for factory workers and the surrounding environment. These adhesives also make cleanup easier and safer—there is no toxic runoff, no solvent waste, and no need for hazardous disposal methods. It’s a smarter solution all around.
What Are VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)?
VOCs are organic chemicals that vaporize at room temperature. They include solvents like paint thinners, fuel additives, cleaning products, and glues. Any adhesive that uses organic solvents (like benzene, ethanol, or glycol ethers) will emit VOCs as the solvents evaporate. These compounds contribute to smog and can react in sunlight to form ozone.
The EPA warns that indoor VOC levels can be 2–5 times higher than outdoors, even in rural areas, because vapors accumulate in enclosed spaces. In a shoe factory, poorly ventilated glue booths can have very high VOC concentrations. Short-term exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, or allergic reactions. Long-term exposure (which is common among factory workers) can contribute to chronic respiratory disease or neurological issues.
Why Water-Based Adhesives Are Better
Water-based shoe glues put water, not petroleum solvents, in the driver’s seat. So they sidestep many environmental and health pitfalls.
Let’s break down why this matters so much:
1. Lower VOC Emissions = Cleaner Air
Solvent glues are one of the biggest contributors to VOC emissions in the shoe industry. VOCs evaporate into the air during application, creating indoor air pollution, smog, and long-term health risks for factory workers. Water-based glues don’t do that.
They evaporate water, not toxic chemicals, dramatically cutting VOC levels in the air. In fact, many water-based adhesives are labeled “No Solvent. No Fumes.” That means safer air for workers, less environmental impact, and fewer greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
This switch is a no-brainer for any factory trying to shrink its carbon footprint.
2. Better for Worker Safety—and Yours, Too
Exposure to harmful chemicals like toluene, acetone, and formaldehyde in solvent glues is a known risk for shoemakers. Workers often suffer from headaches, dizziness, skin irritation, and even long-term respiratory disease.
Water-based adhesives eliminate that threat. No harsh fumes, no toxic side effects, just cleaner air and safer conditions on the factory floor. This directly supports shoemaker safety, improving both physical health and job satisfaction.
And it’s not just about factory workers. If you’ve ever opened a new pair of sneakers and noticed a strong chemical smell, that’s off-gassing from leftover solvents. With water-based glue, that problem disappears. Your shoes won’t bring those fumes into your closet, your car, or your lungs.
3. Strong Bonds, Fast Results
One of the biggest myths is that water-based glues are weaker or slower. That used to be true, but not anymore.
Modern water-based adhesives are engineered to deliver the same (or even better) performance than their solvent-based counterparts. They bond tightly to synthetic materials, leather, rubber, and EVA foam, the same stuff used in work boots, athletic shoes, and casual wear.
They’re also designed for quick drying, making them ideal for high-volume production without slowing things down. For example, Renia Aquilim 315, used in many professional workshops, offers fast drying and high tack strength, all without a single drop of solvent. So no, you don’t have to trade durability for sustainability.
4. Easier Cleanup, Fewer Toxins
Solvent-based adhesives require chemical solvents to clean brushes, tools, and spills. That adds more toxins to the waste stream and increases the need for specialized (often expensive) disposal.
But with water-based glue?
A little soap and water get the job done - no special solvents, no hazardous waste. This makes production safer, cleanup faster, and disposal far less damaging to the environment. It's also one more way to reduce your facility’s carbon dioxide emissions and limit its impact on soil and water.
5. Supports a Sustainable Shoe Industry
Replacing chemical solvents with water allows manufacturers to drastically reduce air pollution, protect workers, and eliminate one of the most toxic parts of the shoemaking process.
Even glue suppliers are on board. Across the industry, water-based adhesives are being praised as “eco-friendly, high-performance bonding solutions.” They’re helping factories create healthier manufacturing environments while slashing their greenhouse gas output and exposure to extreme temperatures during production.
In short, choosing non-toxic alternatives like water-based glues helps the planet and people, too.
COMUNITYmade’s Sustainable Approach
At COMUNITYmade, we don’t treat sustainability as a checkbox. It’s built into every stitch, every sole, and every decision we make.
We handcraft each pair of shoes right here in Los Angeles, not in bulk at overseas factories. We work with local artisans, support small-batch production, and source recycled and responsibly chosen materials wherever we can. So when it comes to the adhesives we use, water-based glues are the obvious option.
Why? Because protecting our team and our environment is non-negotiable. Unlike solvent glues that pollute the air and expose workers to harmful fumes, water-based options align with our values. They help us create our products in a safe way, both for our team and the planet.
We refuse to use solvent-based adhesives that release harmful chemicals and put people at risk. Instead, we rely on non-toxic alternatives that reduce VOC emissions, improve shoemaker safety, and shrink our carbon footprint. No toxic fumes. No compromises.
Quality Shoes Made With Quality Glue
The kind of glue used in your shoes may not be something you’ve thought about—but it matters more than you think. Most big manufacturers still rely on solvent-based adhesives that release toxic fumes, harm the environment, and put factory workers at risk.
At COMUNITYmade, we take a different path.
We use water-based adhesives because they’re safer, cleaner, and simply the right thing to do—for our team, for our community, and for you. When you choose our shoes, you're getting something well-made and supporting a process that respects people and the planet from the ground up.
