Melissa

Melissa is part of Grendene, one of the world’s largest footwear makers — proudly owning 100% of its factories. We know who makes every pair, and you know exactly where your shoes come from. With over 16,000 jobs created, we’re committed to fair wages, safe working conditions, and long-term career growth. 93% of our suppliers are Brazilian — so every step supports local communities and businesses.

Since 2017, Melissa has been proudly 100% vegan and cruelty-free — never tested on animals, with no animal-derived materials, certified by The Vegan Society. Our shoes are made with MelFlex, a durable, recyclable PVC developed in-house. It’s built to last — and built to be reused. Unlike traditional footwear, our simple material composition makes recycling easier, closing the loop with specialist partners when you’re ready for your next pair.

We’re moving beyond fossil fuels — exploring plant-based alternatives like sugarcane and vegetable oils. From 26% in 2021 to 48% in 2022, we’ve nearly doubled the use of renewable, USDA-certified bio-based materials in our footwear. Because sustainability starts with better ingredients.

From production to people, we use water mindfully. 100% of our wastewater is treated, and 86% is reused — thanks to treatment stations at all Grendene factories. Plastic’s water footprint is low, and only 30% of what we use goes into making our shoes. The rest? It supports our teams — for hydration, hygiene, and well-being. Because sustainability is about more than materials — it’s how we care for every resource.

Melissa shoes have been made using 100% renewable energy since 2018 — reducing carbon emissions across our factories. We’re investing in solar too. Our Sobral factory is already powered by its own plant, and our new Crato facility will feature over 4,000 panels — generating 34% of its energy and improving employee comfort. Today, 2.5% of the energy used to make your shoes comes straight from the Brazilian sun — and we’re just getting started.

We’re turning waste into worth — from plastic to food scraps. On average, 30% of every Melissa shoe is made from recycled factory waste. In 2022, 90% of all production waste was reincorporated — keeping it out of landfills and in the loop. Even organic leftovers are reused to create cooking gas and fertilizer. Nothing wasted, everything reimagined.

The future of fashion is circular — and so is our approach to footwear. Instead of throwing shoes away, we design them to be reused, recycled, and reimagined. Made from durable, waterproof PVC, Melissa shoes are easy to clean, made to last, and ready for a second life — from floors to furniture — when returned to our specialist partners.