Here are the best sustainable loafers (options that balance low environmental impact, transparent supply chains, and good build/comfort). I focused on brands and models that are available to customers in Australia or ship there.

Top picks — short list

• Allbirds (men’s and women’s leather/vegan loafers or slip-ons) — natural- and recycled-material focus, strong carbon-accounting and product lifecycle work; comfortable, good for everyday use. (voguebusiness.com)
• Rothy’s (The Driver / The Loafer) — knit uppers made from recycled plastic bottles, machine-washable, widely recommended for comfort and low-waste manufacturing practices. Good option for easy-care casual loafers. (rothys.com)
• Everlane (Classic loafers) — simple, durable leather loafers with LWG-certified leather and clear material sourcing; good value for a more classic dress loafer. (thegoodtrade.com)
• Veja (Campo / leather and canvas styles) — strong materials transparency (organic cotton, Amazonian rubber, chrome-free leather options); increasingly stocked in Australian retailers. Good for casual to smart-casual looks. (wovenonline.com.au)
• SAOLA (vegan / recycled-material slip-ons and loafers) — uses recycled PET, grape-based vegan leather, recycled EVA, cork footbeds; solid certifications and low‑waste manufacturing practices for casual styles. Good vegan option. (SAOLA.com)
• Edie Collective (Australian vegan loafers) — locally available vegan loafers using recycled PU, recycled soles and GRS-certified components — good if you want to buy Australian-made/designed vegan shoes. (ediecollective.com.au)
• Nisolo (classic leather loafers) — historically strong on living wages and transparency, but check recent reports and current status before buying (there have been controversies/changes reported in 2024–2025). If you want polished leather options, verify current company practices and availability. (au.Nisolo.com)

How I picked these

• Materials: recycled plastics, bio-based/plant leathers, chrome-free or LWG-certified leather, recycled rubber/EVA, cork footbeds.
• Supply-chain transparency and certifications (GRS, OEKO‑TEX, LWG, ZQ, factory audits where available).
• Durability, comfort and availability in Australia (brands that ship to AU or are stocked locally).
  Sources for these claims are linked above. (rothys.com)

Quick buying guide (practical)

• If you want low carbon + natural materials: consider Allbirds (look for their net-zero / low-carbon lines). (voguebusiness.com)
• For machine-washable easy-care casual loafers: Rothy’s (knit upper from recycled bottles). (rothys.com)
• For vegan/plant-based options: SAOLA (grape leather, recycled PET) or Edie Collective (Australian vegan models). (SAOLA.com)
• For a classic leather dress loafer with traceable tanning: Everlane or Veja’s chrome-free leather options; verify LWG or chrome-free claims per model. (thegoodtrade.com)
• Check what matters most to you: carbon footprint vs. animal-free materials vs. living wages — these don’t always line up, so read the product sustainability notes before buying. (E.g., some low-carbon shoes still use leather; some vegan shoes use petroleum-based synthetics.) (voguebusiness.com)

Fit & longevity tips

• Choose a slightly firmer sole and full-grain or well-reinforced uppers for longevity.
• If buying knitted or recycled-fabric uppers (Rothy’s/SAOLA), follow care instructions — some are machine-washable, others are hand-wash only. (rothys.com)
• Look for brands offering resoling/repair or take-back/recycling programs (extends life and lowers lifetime footprint).

Warnings / things to check before buying

• Confirm the exact materials and certifications on the product page (some brands vary materials by model).
• Recent company practices can change — for example, Nisolo had strong credentials but there are reported issues in 2024–2025; check current reviews and brand updates before ordering. (eco-stylist.com)
• Vegan leather isn’t automatically better for the climate; check whether it’s recycled/plant-based and whether the brand discloses end-of-life guidance. (SAOLA.com)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to a budget (under AUD 200 / 200–400 / premium) and list specific models available to ship to Australia now with prices and where to buy; or
• Find the most sustainable option for dress vs casual (I’ll check in-stock availability and up-to-date company sustainability reports).