What Is Your Footprint’s Footprint?

Many of us have started to notice the marathon runners training in our neighborhoods, their dedication something to be admired, as they pound the pavement every day, at odd hours and in inclement weather, just to ensure they are ready to do their best on race day. I wish I had that type of commitment for running. A love for the rush, the high some of these runners talk about, but it isn’t in me. When the weather is nice I like to run trails, or along the beach, occasionally, I will hit pavement, but the joy for me is being outside in nature. As someone who tries to consider the environment in everything she does, I have always considered running to be a low environmental impact recreation. After reading some recent studies, I realized that I was wrong.

Runner’s World Magazine did an analysis on the average serious runner’s carbon footprint, with the help of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and the results were astonishing. Between the gear and travel to races or favorite running locations, the average serious runner is producing 5,449 lbs of CO2 a year. Even for the novice or recreational runner, these are numbers to consider. So, how can we reduce these numbers? The first steps are understanding them. Travel and plastic water bottles have obvious alternatives, use stainless and carpool as often as you can. What about the gear though? You need shoes and clothes, right?

A study by International Consumer Research and Testing found that the running shoe has an astonishing environmental impact due to the very nature of its supply chain. The average running shoe is made up of nearly 50 components, each of which were likely made at a different location until finally being hand assembled in an assembly factory. Aside from this, the processes used create huge amounts of discarded waste materials and many of the components themselves are potentially hazardous. Three examples ICRT list in their report are :

• Production waste in the form of metallic fabric cuttings and tissue fabric cuttings can contaminate the surrounding environment if an effective environmental management system (EMS) is not in place.
• A key component of any running shoe is the sole, which itself consists of three distinct layers – the insole, midsole and outsole. The insole is normally made of man-made ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. EVA foam is non-biodegradable.
• A Greenpeace report, ‘Slaughtering the Amazon’, examines how the global shoe industry’s appetite for leather is a major contributor to tropical deforestation. The Amazon rain forest is being cleared at an alarming rate, often illegally, to make way for cattle ranchers in Brazil. Tree felling and burning releases vast amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.

I know this sounds awful. What I am not suggesting is that we all give up something we love, but rather, what can we do to reduce the footprint of our very footprints? Ten years ago, it would have been near impossible to choose sustainable when it came to a running shoe. Now, the shoe manufacturers are a different breed of people. They recognize the need for environmental stewardship, at least some of them do. Here are two of our favorites:

Green Silence by Brooks Sports, Inc.

According to their site, the Green Silence is “a groundbreaking competition racing flat that boasts a sustainable element in each part of the shoe. Using soy-based inks, water-based adhesives, and recycled materials, Green Silence incorporates sustainability—without sacrificing performance—into every stitch of the shoe.” Well, that sounds promising! Brooks has been an innovator in sustainable running shoe design for a few years now, their proprietory midsole, the BioMoGo, is the worlds first biodegradeable midsole. It breaks down 50 times faster than a traditional midsole when in an enclosed active landfill. They also created a 100% recycled box.

Green Silence was constructed with less than half (48 percent) as many parts as comparable shoes. Only 26 parts comprise each Green Silence shoe compared to approximately 54 parts in similar styles. And, more than 75 percent of the 26 components have been recycled by consumers. For example, heel counters are made of recycled compact discs; shoe laces, meshes, linings, gillies, and tongue webbings are made from recycled water bottles; and outsoles are made of recycled rubber. These substitutions reduce the energy (41 percent less) and oil (.5 liter less) needed to manufacture each pair of Green Silence shoes.

The dyes, colorants, and adhesives used in production are non-toxic and not harmful to those working in the factory. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were lowered by 65 percent. The midsoles, collar foams, and sock liners are completely biodegradable, which reduces waste when the shoes are eventually retired to an active, enclosed landfill.

Five Fingers by Vibram

The reduction in components alone makes this shoe a great choice for the eco conscious. Utilizing the theory of barefoot technology to correct one’s bio-mechanics, these shoes helped me shave 2 minutes off my miles. My miles were slow, so I am not suddenly running alongside accomplished runners, but I am running more efficiently and with less impact and pain on my body. They are versatile and I use them for running, hiking, biking and walking around town. The look is something to get used to, but your feet and the environment will thank you for reconsidering what is fashionable and choosing a product that is more “green.”

As a company, Vibram is working hard to reduce their carbon, and even offset the remainder, in a quest to become carbon nuetral. They utilize renewable energies such as wind power and solar whenever possible, and all of their marketing and promotional materials are made with recycled or sustainably-minded materials. One of their most sustainably minded business practices is simply the creation of durable products that withstand rugged beatings. While they aren’t perfect, they are really looking at ways to make their massive imprint as small as possible.

Now you have some shoes, what else do you need? Patagonia is the leader in transparent supply chain manufacturing and sustainable business practices. Their recycled, and recyclable, Capilene® products are great base layers and outer layer zip-necks for any activity, however, they are greatly appreciated by runners everywhere for their excellent insulation and wicking qualities. Check out the Patagonia site for a detailed product footprint on any item in the Capilene® line.

So, now that we are all geared up, all we have to do is motivate ourselves to step away from the laptop, strap on those shoes and head outside. Right? Now, if you have a dog, don’t forget to bring him/her. They love to run and can be great personal trainers and coaches. Hope to see you on the trails.

Tags: amazon, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Brooks Sports, Capilene, carbon footprint, CO2, environmental management system, eva foam, Five Fingers, Green Silence, greenpeace, ICRT, International Consumer Research and Testing, marathon, Patagonia, recycled water bottles, Runner's World, running, solar power, trail running, Vibram, VOCs, wind energy