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?
Monday, October 29, 2007
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...
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