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with its “considered design” process, nike has examined all aspects of its corporate carbon footprint girlawhirl's amazed at what they've done
Nov 13, 2008
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In Girlawhirl's dream world, all new buildings have alternative power sources, everything's recycled, stress and strain on Mother Nature are minimized and she can make decisions about what she's purchasing without worrying if it's the right choice for both her and the planet. Through its Considered Design process Nike has turned all of that - and more - into a reality. . . Rallying around the premise that all resources will eventually be scarce, Nike's planting the seeds to thrive in a resource constrained world and using the idea of sustainability as a source of both growth and innovation. It's examined four aspects of the company's footprint: waste, water, toxics and energy and have come up with innovative processes and solutions to minimize the use of all. Results so far have been beyond what the company forecast, making sustainable practices not just good for Mother Nature but good for business as well. Some highlights of the initiative:
• Ten years ago, after making a pair of shoes, the leftover waste materials equaled enough for another shoe. Today, it's half that, and two thirds of that waste is actually recyclable.
• Over 50 materials that are used in the manufacturing of Nike shoes, apparel and equipment are supplied back to the manufacturing process from waste, including rubber and polyester.
• Since it began in 1990, Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program has built 285 fields, courts and tracks from recycled shoes.
• Nike's distribution center in Laakdal, Belgium is powered by six wind turbines that provide more than enough energy for the plant; surplus energy is poured back into the local power grid.
• Nike developed a water-based adhesive – which is such a big deal to the footwear industry that they intend to share it. This feat alone has resulted in a 95% reduction in toxics used in production.
• Nike Swift, a 100% recycled polyester fabric was worn by the US Olympic track team in Beijing. While diverting more than 20,000 pounds of polyester from landfills, Nike was able to create a fabric that was lighter and faster than ever before.
• The latest version of Nike's Air Pegasus running shoe is a product of Considered Design. It weighs 30% less than previous generations and uses Nike Grind - recycled materials from the soles of old shoes - and the airbag system contains 83% recycled content.
There are many more accomplishments, both for the earth and for Nike as a business - it's found that reducing packaging has already saved millions of dollars - and Nike has set a company wide agenda to continue these practices. The goal is to create what it's termed a "closed loop" where production uses
Just knowing Nike's doing the environmental legwork for her, makes Girlawhirl's decision making process a whole lot easier. |
fewer resources and creates less waste, what waste is created can be recycled and re-used, and once they're worn out, the products themselves can be recycled into new equipment, shoes, clothing or sport courts.
