BOULDER, Colo. -- Newton Running Shoes has redeveloped its shoe packaging, and while it looks like it uses more materials, it actually uses up fewer resources and makes shipping, packaging and recycling more efficient.
The original box design consisted of 100 percent recycled paper pulp, like the material egg cartons are made of, molded so that a pair of shoes would fit snugly inside.
Newton’s research found out, though, that what looked like a better design wasn’t as green as they thought.
The boxes (above) were more expensive to make. They were produced far from the company’s footwear factory. Due to their odd shape they would not be shipped or stacked efficiently in containers, warehouses or stores. They had the potential to experience higher damage and warp rates. The labels could come off of them. They wouldn’t do well in humid climates or if handed by too many sweaty hands. And they were difficult to break down and recycle.
Newton instead switched to a typical-looking rectangular shoebox (left) that is produced much closer to the footwear factory. It’s easy to assemble and take apart. It is made of 100 percent post consumer waste, soy-based ink and water-based coating. And it requires less tooling and design time. Instead of stuffing shoes with throwaway tissue paper, Newton uses cardboard inserts, made from scraps leftover after boxes are die cut.
Nike Serves Up Trashy All-Star Shoes
In other green footwear news, Nike continues to build on its Trash Talk line of shoes with a pair of Nike Zoom MVP Trash Talk shoes made especially for the 2009 All-Star Game.
The Trash Talk concept debuted in early 2008, and the shoes are made mostly out of manufacturing waste. The All-Star version is limited to 72 pairs and were developed even though Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash, the man behind the shoe, did not make the team.
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