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?