Conscious choice: Nike Considered
The world's largest sportswear company has been greening up its act.
What started in 2005 as a small collection of eco-friendly shoes called Nike Considered has "evolved into a company-wide design philosophy," says communications manager Jill Zanger. This season, Nike will introduce new shoes that contain hemp and rubber made with recycled materials. The footwear features innovative details that help minimize waste: The sole of the Soaker water shoe (shown), for example, snaps together, which reduces the need for toxic adhesives. Nike is also using sustainable fabrics like bamboo for its yoga clothes. Across all product lines, the company is working to phase out PVC (a plastic that emits the carcinogen dioxin) and has curbed its use of petroleum solvents by about 95 percent.
