Keen Eco-Carton Shoe Box Captured in the Wild
by Warren McLaren, Sydney 
on 08.28.06
A few days ago we posted a wee story on Keens new 100% recycled shoe box. We showed you the footwear that come with in the packaging but not the box itself. Thanks to the kind efforts of Bradley Hole from the environmentally responsible office products company, Sustainable Group, we are able to show you what it looks like, in the flesh, so to speak. And with the embossing and debossing relief of the container, you can clearly see how the dyes and colours were eliminated. Thanks Bradley.
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What about the shoes? I mean, big deal if a box is sustainable...doesn't sound that groundbreaking does it? Sustainable shoes anyone?
i agree.
I suppose the box is a step in the right direction. It is better than nothing. And that is better than a big juicy steak.
Back when my kids were in diapers, one of the options for diaper wipes came in plastic tubs, that, once emptied, functioned somewhat like very large legos - you could stack them up and build walls with them (not that I did, we used washable wipes, of course!). What if items like shoes came in boxes that were re-usable, rather than recyclable? I mean, we ALL use shoe boxes for anything from 3rd grade dioramas to storing photos to mailing packages. What if they were even sturdier and could be used over and over? Or you could return them to the shoestore to be reused?
What about getting rid of shoe boxes altogether?
hmm... well I have a shoe line and I found this page because I want to start using recycled shoe boxes. For the kind of shoes I make (womens handcrafted leather heels) we need shoeboxes to protect the shape. At the moment we use typical manufactured leather, but I am looking into natural tanneries as well as sustianable leathers - i.e wild boarskins that are hunted by natives for food and sell the skins the tanneries. I am also interested in vegan leather but do not know much about it. Anybody that can provide any information I would appreciate greatly. All the best, Kerry
The point of the story is about packaging, that is where most waste comes from. The box usually goes from store to house to trash, and they are trying to make up for that. It is a big deal! However, the Keen company is totally dedicated to the environment. They use Fair labor, and have Vegan footwear. Back to the box. Any "green" movement is a good one, so please don't dismiss company's attempts to improve our environment.
What can we do with our old shoe boxes? Does any one need them for anything productive? Thanks
Donate them to local churches to use for Operation Christmas Shoebox through Samaritans purse!