We need not waste time on explaining the importance of supporting and selling brands that are actively implementing measures to lower their impact on the global environment. It's 2020 and it's time for companies, running brands included, to step up to the plate and find solutions to lower emissions, waste and animal-harming practices. We constantly see brands who are making promises, announcing plans, and promoting a small portion of their line as "sustainable". All the while, at their headquarters (the second most sustainable head quarters in North America for anycompany) in Seattle, Brooks as acted fast and effectively.
A traditional shoe spends 1,000 years in the landfill... that's 10 generations of people(dramatic pause)! With the recent introduction of their BioMoGo DNA material in all but 3 of their models (Energize collection), Brooks is now using a biodegradable midsole that will break down in 25 years.This has ZERO compromise on the life of the shoe as it requires specific levels of moisture, oxygen and microbes found in the landfill to activate this process. Not only this, Brooks has chosen notto patent the technology but instead encourage their competitors to join their environmentally friendly efforts.
Why should animal products be used in my running shoes? Easy answer: They shouldn't. From the glue they use to their faux leather walking shoes, Brooks shoes are 100% vegan. Brooks has also started to think outside the box... actually, about the box. Brooks shoe boxes use 100% recycled materials which saves 465,000 trees a year!They box ink is also chemical and dye free and have you ever noticed their shoes don't come stuffed with enough paper to wrap your home office in? They use a single piece of paper in the box and even it is made from 100% recycled materials.
As for their apparel, Brooks hasn’t ignored the potential for a positive impact there either:
All of their clothing is bluesign approved. This is basically a checkbox for sustainability and consumers can feel safe that by purchasing our clothing they are supporting an environmentally friendly brand
o Bluesign works with brands to impact the following areas:
§ Resource use: By consulting with us about better chemicals and manufacturing processes, bluesign helps Brooks use facilities that operate more efficiently, which reduces overall water, energy and chemical use.
§ Occupational health and safety: We work with manufacturers to eliminate hazardous chemicals and to put in place safety features like ventilation systems, protecting workers from exposure to chemicals.
§ Water and air emissions: bluesign-approved factories must meet stringent standards for pollution control.
§ Consumer safety: The bluesignsystem also features the world’s strictest chemical safety requirements for textiles.