By Jaqueline Quesada / Translated by Samai Páez

In the search of sustainable alternatives for the fashion industry, Ronin Earth stands out for its shoe production model. Located in the Peruvian Amazon, the brand has managed to integrate the production of shoes with environmental conservation and social development. The key to its success lies in the use of shiringa, a natural rubber, extracted responsibly from trees of the El Sira Communal Reserve..

Unlike traditional practices that usually involve cutting down trees, shiringa extraction is carried out through a process that does not damage the forest. Each shiringuero, a member of the local communities, is responsible for the care and collection of latex from between 50 and 120 trees in a specific area. This system, known as «cerco estratégico (strategic fence)», not only ensures the continuous production of the raw material, but also works as a forest protection tool, preserving up to three hectares of forest for each tree..

This production model generates a positive impact in various areas. Environmentally, the use of natural rubber helps to capture carbon and mitigate climate change. According to studies, a 15-year-old rubber tree can store up to 32.45 tons of carbon, thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases. In addition, responsible harvesting avoids habitat degradation, while protecting the biodiversity of the reserve and preserving the region species that inhabit the Amazon region.

Socially Ronin Earth fosters the economic development of the communities, by integrating the families of shiringueros into the value chain and providing them with complementary income. By offering them an income alternative based on forest care, the brand encourages a sustainable and productive relationship with nature, avoiding logging for other less profitable purposes. This business model promotes the creation of local jobs, since the manufacture of footwear is carried out in Peruvian workshops, contributing to the growth of the national industry.

Ronin Earth thus offers a business model that could inspire other companies in the sector to implement more sustainable practices. The combination of economic profitability, environmental responsibility and social development is presented as an invitation to rethink the production processes of fashion, and to seek solutions that generate value at all levels.