Lower East Side Girls' Club
We met with a group of girls (ages ranging from 14 - 17 years) and asked them questions regarding environmental issues, shoes, and sneakers. We got an interesting variety of responses:
1) Are there any environmental issues that you are interested in?
Green buildings. Global warming. Chemicals and toxins (i.e. batteries). Animals, plants, and trees. Chemicals in make-up. Clothes and shoes disposal. Pesticides in cotton. The killing of animals for leather. AND interestingly someone brought up Nike and the controversy surrounding them about child labor.
2) How many pairs of shoes do you own?
75 flats, 3 Reeboks, 30 Jordans (this was in one girl's lifetime though). One girl wears only flats, no sneakers or other types of shoes. One girl goes through roughly 4 pairs of shoes a year.
3) How many pairs of shoes do you want to replace? Are worn out? Are really truly worn out and MUST be replaced?
One girl throws out 5 - 10 pairs of shoes. Another girl gives her old shoes to her extended family abroad.
4) What are your favorite shoe brands?
Converse. Nike. H&M. Forever 21. American Eagle (?). Coach. Adidas. Puma. Skechers. Reebok.
5) What do you think happens to your shoes after they are thrown out? Do you think they might be affecting the environment?
Yes, shoes get shredded when they are thrown out and the metals in them pollute the land. SIDE NOTE: Jung-Eun brought up the issue that prison inmates shred garbage and while doing so, pieces fly out and affect their skin, due to lack of protective clothing.
6) Would you be open to recycling parts of your shoe? For instance, would you be okay with resoling your sneakers?
Some girls already repair their shoes in different ways. One girl retouches her shoes with a paint from Payless Shoes. Another girl cleans her shoes with AJAX and a toothbrush. But most of them agreed that when their soles wear out, those shoes get tossed.
7) If you found out that your favorite shoe/sneaker brand was harming the environment would you contact them to voice your concerns? Would you boycott that brand?
Many girls said that they would boycott but one pointed out that it would be hard to have that be an effective measure against companies that are international and extremely well-known such as Nike.
8) What do you think is the most powerful way for someone to get a message out to the public? What will make you sit up and listen and get interested?
Video, especially YouTube, is pretty popular with the girls. However one pointed out that she generally likes looking at funny stuff on YouTube, not depressing and somber material. She also noted that videos can be stopped anytime so there's no guarantee the entire message will be viewed and listened to. Another girl said that she likes to read and that she finds posters/ads in the subway trains effective (i.e. ConEdison's environmental ads) since she is literally surrounded by them and can easily look at them as she sits in the train. Posters and commercials were also mentioned as effective tools. Stories as well.
After gathering all these insightful and interesting ideas, we got the girls' email adresses and we're hoping to keep in touch with them and have an ongoing dialogue with them regarding these questions. Currently we're thinking of doing a mock-up of a website that integrates our shoe/sneaker research for students and teachers to explore and use. Also, we're thinking of putting together a sample video (an example of what could be found on the site) that might concentrate on do-it-yourself (DIY) techniques for mending shoes.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Final Project Progress
Response from MooShoes:
(1) based on what criteria do you select brands that you carry (eg. materials, labor, location it was made)? Do all the brands you carry fit ALL the categories?
Our number one criteria for all our products in that they are 100% vegan. We are long time vegans and therefore finding shoes that do not contain any animal products is our first priority.
Since our shoes are vegan they are already more eco friendly than leather shoes. Tanneries are one of the most toxic industries. Our shoes are made from synthetic microfibers and we refrain from carrying any shoes that contain vinyl. Although vinyl does not contain any animal products it is not a very environmentally friendly alternative.
We are also very careful about the labor conditions that are our shoes are made under. Most of our shoes are made in union factories in Europe. There are exceptions to this but we are very careful to discuss labor conditions with everyone of our manufacturers.
(2) what is the best eco-friendly brand thus far, in your opinion and why?
Simple Shoes are one of our most eco friendly brands. They have a line of shoes called Green Toe. Every shoe in this line is 100% sustainable. I think another one of our more eco friendly brands in Veganwares in Australia. They are all custom made shoes which means that every shoe manufactured will be used by someone which means that they do not have any waste. Their shoes are resole able which means that they will last almost a lifetime. Another great brand is Splaff. They make all of their products from recycled inner tubes.
(3) what area of shoe-making needs to MOST improvement to become environmentally friendly?
The leather industry is extremely toxic as well as cruel. I think manufacturers should consider using more alternatives to leather.
Response from Nike:
Response (Aaron) - 11/07/2007 01:22 PM
Hello Anjali,
That is great that you chose Nike to do your school project on! We always are happy to hear from students who are interested in our company!
As you can imagine, Nike receives numerous requests for information about the Nike Corporation and Nike products in general. While, we recognize the value of academic pursuit of information by students we, unfortunately, are not able to answer questions directly or fulfill specific requests for hard copy material or sample products. In addition, as a general rule we are not able to accommodate requests for interviews of specific Nike personnel or our senior-level executives. Nor can they or Nike employees be present for student events.
We try to provide as much information as we can about the Nike Corporation on our website at www.nikebiz.com. The specific information you are looking for may be found under About Nike, News, Investors, Responsibility or the FAQ section under 'Customer Service'. The FAQ section will provide you with a list of some of the most commonly asked questions about Nike, Inc. Specific information about our perspectives on marketing and other information are proprietary and not available to the public.
While we are not able to fulfill your requests, we do appreciate you thinking of Nike and wish you much continued success.
Sincerely,
Aaron
Nike
Next Steps:
- Check out these links for Nike and the Environment:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2004/10/nike_environmen.php
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_39/b4002108.htm
http://makower.typepad.com/joel_makower/2005/03/nike_things_con.html
http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2005/03/nike-goes-environmental.html
- Chat about shoe brands and the environment with a group of teenage girls at the Lower East Side Girls’ Club. We’re hoping to gather some insightful and interesting opinions!
(1) based on what criteria do you select brands that you carry (eg. materials, labor, location it was made)? Do all the brands you carry fit ALL the categories?
Our number one criteria for all our products in that they are 100% vegan. We are long time vegans and therefore finding shoes that do not contain any animal products is our first priority.
Since our shoes are vegan they are already more eco friendly than leather shoes. Tanneries are one of the most toxic industries. Our shoes are made from synthetic microfibers and we refrain from carrying any shoes that contain vinyl. Although vinyl does not contain any animal products it is not a very environmentally friendly alternative.
We are also very careful about the labor conditions that are our shoes are made under. Most of our shoes are made in union factories in Europe. There are exceptions to this but we are very careful to discuss labor conditions with everyone of our manufacturers.
(2) what is the best eco-friendly brand thus far, in your opinion and why?
Simple Shoes are one of our most eco friendly brands. They have a line of shoes called Green Toe. Every shoe in this line is 100% sustainable. I think another one of our more eco friendly brands in Veganwares in Australia. They are all custom made shoes which means that every shoe manufactured will be used by someone which means that they do not have any waste. Their shoes are resole able which means that they will last almost a lifetime. Another great brand is Splaff. They make all of their products from recycled inner tubes.
(3) what area of shoe-making needs to MOST improvement to become environmentally friendly?
The leather industry is extremely toxic as well as cruel. I think manufacturers should consider using more alternatives to leather.
Response from Nike:
Response (Aaron) - 11/07/2007 01:22 PM
Hello Anjali,
That is great that you chose Nike to do your school project on! We always are happy to hear from students who are interested in our company!
As you can imagine, Nike receives numerous requests for information about the Nike Corporation and Nike products in general. While, we recognize the value of academic pursuit of information by students we, unfortunately, are not able to answer questions directly or fulfill specific requests for hard copy material or sample products. In addition, as a general rule we are not able to accommodate requests for interviews of specific Nike personnel or our senior-level executives. Nor can they or Nike employees be present for student events.
We try to provide as much information as we can about the Nike Corporation on our website at www.nikebiz.com. The specific information you are looking for may be found under About Nike, News, Investors, Responsibility or the FAQ section under 'Customer Service'. The FAQ section will provide you with a list of some of the most commonly asked questions about Nike, Inc. Specific information about our perspectives on marketing and other information are proprietary and not available to the public.
While we are not able to fulfill your requests, we do appreciate you thinking of Nike and wish you much continued success.
Sincerely,
Aaron
Nike
Next Steps:
- Check out these links for Nike and the Environment:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2004/10/nike_environmen.php
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_39/b4002108.htm
http://makower.typepad.com/joel_makower/2005/03/nike_things_con.html
http://www.vestaldesign.com/blog/2005/03/nike-goes-environmental.html
- Chat about shoe brands and the environment with a group of teenage girls at the Lower East Side Girls’ Club. We’re hoping to gather some insightful and interesting opinions!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Final Project Idea Revised - Shoes
Feedback from guests on 10-30-2007:
(1) Comments on the possible format:
- Give the teens opportunities for decisions, where they can get to jump in
- Make it a game – a fun marketing tool
(2) Tips on how to move forward from here:
- Marriane Petit : possibly collaborate with Lower East Side Girls Club
- Find out Journalism work on this subject
- Ecological transparency labeling example – Timberland http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/004047.html
- Greenpeace
- Jonah Peretti’s denied request on personalized Nike:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010409/peretti
His email correspondence with Nike at
http://www.rtis.com/touchstone/apr01/08NIKE.HTM
(3) What’s been done
- http://www.howstuffismade.org
What has been done so far:
Two companies were contacted:
• 99X (specializes in footwear and clothing of British manufacture)
Adress: 84 East 10th St., New York, NY 10003
Email: ny99x@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.99xnyc.com/index.php
• MooShoes (vegan shoes)
78 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
Email: info@mooshoes.com
Website: http://www.mooshoes.com/
These questions were asked via email:
(1) Based on what criteria do you select brands that you carry (e.g. materials, labor, and location it was made)? Do all the brands you carry fit ALL the categories?
(2) What is the best eco-friendly brand thus far, in your opinion and why?
(3) What area of shoe making needs to MOST improvement to become environmentally friendly?
Direction we are headed:
We would like to contact:
• Nike (NIKETOWN New York)
57th & Fifth
6 East 57th St
New York, New York 10022
Phone: 212-891-6453
We would like to talk with children at the Lower East Side Girls’ Club to get an idea of what children look for when buying sneakers. Some sample questions:
• What do you look for when you buy shoes?
• How many pairs of shoes do you own?
• What shoe brands do you own?
• What do you know about environmental issues?
• Do you know how the environment and shoes are connected?
• If you found out that your favorite shoe brand was destroying the environment would you still buy that brand? Why or why
not?
(Note: I think “destroyed” can be replaced with another word since kids generally feel peer pressure and answer in a way
that others might approve of.)
• Everyone learns differently. What method works best for you?
We would like our final project to take on this format:
• YouTube video that compares Nike (or another well known brand) with MooShoes or 99X in terms of environmental and
social impact. This will ideally take on a story format and be engaging to kids and adults alike!
• This video will possibly be part of a website that will be roughly outlined with more images, facts, etc. that we come across
during our research. Basically the site will be a supplement to whatever content is in the video.
(1) Comments on the possible format:
- Give the teens opportunities for decisions, where they can get to jump in
- Make it a game – a fun marketing tool
(2) Tips on how to move forward from here:
- Marriane Petit : possibly collaborate with Lower East Side Girls Club
- Find out Journalism work on this subject
- Ecological transparency labeling example – Timberland http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/004047.html
- Greenpeace
- Jonah Peretti’s denied request on personalized Nike:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010409/peretti
His email correspondence with Nike at
http://www.rtis.com/touchstone/apr01/08NIKE.HTM
(3) What’s been done
- http://www.howstuffismade.org
What has been done so far:
Two companies were contacted:
• 99X (specializes in footwear and clothing of British manufacture)
Adress: 84 East 10th St., New York, NY 10003
Email: ny99x@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.99xnyc.com/index.php
• MooShoes (vegan shoes)
78 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
Email: info@mooshoes.com
Website: http://www.mooshoes.com/
These questions were asked via email:
(1) Based on what criteria do you select brands that you carry (e.g. materials, labor, and location it was made)? Do all the brands you carry fit ALL the categories?
(2) What is the best eco-friendly brand thus far, in your opinion and why?
(3) What area of shoe making needs to MOST improvement to become environmentally friendly?
Direction we are headed:
We would like to contact:
• Nike (NIKETOWN New York)
57th & Fifth
6 East 57th St
New York, New York 10022
Phone: 212-891-6453
We would like to talk with children at the Lower East Side Girls’ Club to get an idea of what children look for when buying sneakers. Some sample questions:
• What do you look for when you buy shoes?
• How many pairs of shoes do you own?
• What shoe brands do you own?
• What do you know about environmental issues?
• Do you know how the environment and shoes are connected?
• If you found out that your favorite shoe brand was destroying the environment would you still buy that brand? Why or why
not?
(Note: I think “destroyed” can be replaced with another word since kids generally feel peer pressure and answer in a way
that others might approve of.)
• Everyone learns differently. What method works best for you?
We would like our final project to take on this format:
• YouTube video that compares Nike (or another well known brand) with MooShoes or 99X in terms of environmental and
social impact. This will ideally take on a story format and be engaging to kids and adults alike!
• This video will possibly be part of a website that will be roughly outlined with more images, facts, etc. that we come across
during our research. Basically the site will be a supplement to whatever content is in the video.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Final Project Idea - Shoes
Compare certain shoe/sneaker brands to see which ones are the most or least environmentally friendly. Then target these findings towards junior high children (approx. ages 11 – 13) so that they can make better-informed consumer choices. Ideally, these findings could drive them to encourage brand companies to become more environmentally sound.
Possible Brands:
- Nike
- Adidas
- New Balance
Factors to take into Account:
- Shoes are generally made up of leather and plastic.
- 70% of leather production involves the shoe industry.
- Leather is treated in tanneries, which involve a lot of chemicals.
- Many aspects of the shoe-making process are outsourced all over the world, therefore, causing an increase in jet
fuel pollution when materials and products are shipped. Also, the possibility of cheap labor
exploitation is there in developing nations.
Getting Started:
- Get in touch with brand companies and ask:
1) Is there a company initiative to do less outsourcing and use more localized production?
2) What kind of (if any) environmental initiatives do you have in place?
3) What kind of labor laws do you have in place? Do you follow those countries’ rules or do you have your own set of labor
rules?
Possible Brands:
- Nike
- Adidas
- New Balance
Factors to take into Account:
- Shoes are generally made up of leather and plastic.
- 70% of leather production involves the shoe industry.
- Leather is treated in tanneries, which involve a lot of chemicals.
- Many aspects of the shoe-making process are outsourced all over the world, therefore, causing an increase in jet
fuel pollution when materials and products are shipped. Also, the possibility of cheap labor
exploitation is there in developing nations.
Getting Started:
- Get in touch with brand companies and ask:
1) Is there a company initiative to do less outsourcing and use more localized production?
2) What kind of (if any) environmental initiatives do you have in place?
3) What kind of labor laws do you have in place? Do you follow those countries’ rules or do you have your own set of labor
rules?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sustainable Practices in Real Life
Last week I was in London attending a family wedding but was fortunately able to get some pictures of sustainablity while walking around in the city:
As mentioned in class, the trash in certain countries gets picked apart and separated out a lot more than here in the USA, hopefully ensuring that amost all the materials that can be recycled end up being so...I also didn't see one SUV while I was there. Honestly, I can't imagine how someone could drive one on the narrow streets there - or maybe it was the price of gas (petrol) that acted as a deterrent which, when converted to dollars and gallons came out to something like $8.00/gallon!!
As mentioned in class, the trash in certain countries gets picked apart and separated out a lot more than here in the USA, hopefully ensuring that amost all the materials that can be recycled end up being so...I also didn't see one SUV while I was there. Honestly, I can't imagine how someone could drive one on the narrow streets there - or maybe it was the price of gas (petrol) that acted as a deterrent which, when converted to dollars and gallons came out to something like $8.00/gallon!!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Product Service System (PSS) Revisited
We're scrapping the shoes idea.
Digital Cameras - Memory cards/sticks
Currently, we're working on an idea that involves "renting" memory cards/sticks for digital cameras at airports. Since travel oftentimes involves catching planes and packing digital cameras to "capture" the places we are traveling to, we thought it would be a neat idea to have a service at airports that allows digital camera users to rent memory cards/sticks for their cameras for a fee. They can then return the cards/sticks to the airport when they're done, have their pictures downloaded (cd?) and get back a significant portion of their fee. This should hopefully provide incentive for the users to return the cards/sticks.
Benefits we forsee:
- Number of memory cards/sticks consumed goes down since they're being reused.
- Travelers don't have to worry about purchasing and remembering to bring memory cards/sticks for their digital cameras when flying somewhere.
Challenges we forsee:
- Is there enough of an incentive for users to send back the memory cards/sticks?
- Related to that, by what method should users send back the cards/sticks? By mail? At the airport itself when they return?
In addition:
- Are there any other products that use memory cards and are travel-related that can be offered along with the digital camera service?
Digital Cameras - Memory cards/sticks
Currently, we're working on an idea that involves "renting" memory cards/sticks for digital cameras at airports. Since travel oftentimes involves catching planes and packing digital cameras to "capture" the places we are traveling to, we thought it would be a neat idea to have a service at airports that allows digital camera users to rent memory cards/sticks for their cameras for a fee. They can then return the cards/sticks to the airport when they're done, have their pictures downloaded (cd?) and get back a significant portion of their fee. This should hopefully provide incentive for the users to return the cards/sticks.
Benefits we forsee:
- Number of memory cards/sticks consumed goes down since they're being reused.
- Travelers don't have to worry about purchasing and remembering to bring memory cards/sticks for their digital cameras when flying somewhere.
Challenges we forsee:
- Is there enough of an incentive for users to send back the memory cards/sticks?
- Related to that, by what method should users send back the cards/sticks? By mail? At the airport itself when they return?
In addition:
- Are there any other products that use memory cards and are travel-related that can be offered along with the digital camera service?
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Product Service System (PSS)
Shoes
Group 2: Kunal, Young, Anjali
Shoes get worn out very easily. Considering we use them pretty much every day, this is not surprising. But once they’re worn out, what becomes of them? Since they’ve been in contact with one of the most odorous and sweatiest parts of our bodies, chances are they get thrown away most of the time.
Is there any way to dispose of them in a way that will give back to the environment or at least not harm it? How can the wear-ability life of shoes be extended?
Perhaps a service can be designed that will provide solutions to these questions.
Shoe Materials:
- Leather
- Canvas
- Rubber (athletic shoe soles)
Possible Solutions
Replace parts of a shoe (i.e. the sole)
Site below is a link to a blog about making shoes from recycled parts. In one instance, the soles are made from recycled car tires and the user notes that they never seem to wear out:
Shoes made from recycled stuff...
Group 2: Kunal, Young, Anjali
Shoes get worn out very easily. Considering we use them pretty much every day, this is not surprising. But once they’re worn out, what becomes of them? Since they’ve been in contact with one of the most odorous and sweatiest parts of our bodies, chances are they get thrown away most of the time.
Is there any way to dispose of them in a way that will give back to the environment or at least not harm it? How can the wear-ability life of shoes be extended?
Perhaps a service can be designed that will provide solutions to these questions.
Shoe Materials:
- Leather
- Canvas
- Rubber (athletic shoe soles)
Possible Solutions
Replace parts of a shoe (i.e. the sole)
Site below is a link to a blog about making shoes from recycled parts. In one instance, the soles are made from recycled car tires and the user notes that they never seem to wear out:
Shoes made from recycled stuff...
Monday, September 10, 2007
What's the Score?
I took a couple of the ecological quizzes. The Big Here quiz reminded me of a calculus exam: scary with an undoubtedly bad result. I could probably answer with any confidence (and sans googling) about 5 or 6 questions. So here are the results of the other two:
Ecological Footprint Quiz - 13 acres
The average footprint in the US is 24 acres/person.
Carbon Counter - CO2 Emissions in Tons:
Home (3.08) Auto (0) Air Travel (2.95)
Guess using public transportation and walking really pays off.
Ecological Footprint Quiz - 13 acres
The average footprint in the US is 24 acres/person.
Carbon Counter - CO2 Emissions in Tons:
Home (3.08) Auto (0) Air Travel (2.95)
Guess using public transportation and walking really pays off.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)