SolesUnited by Crocs: A Step in the Right Direction
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 04.24.08
Two years ago we mulled over the notion of whether colourful Crocs footwear might be the Birkenstocks for a new generation. Many respondents argued that without containing recycled content or at least a way of recycling the worn-out shoes they couldn’t be considered ‘green.’
Earlier this year Crocs seemed to have taken steps, if you will, to address these issues. Their new line of SolesUnited are made with grounded up old crocs. The new styles have 20% of this recycled content. Going one further Crocs plan, for 2008, to develop partnerships with shipping companies and worldwide non-profit organisations, so they can donate 2 million pairs of shoes globally.
The countries likely to have their footwear poor citizens padding about in spongy clogs include: Armenia, Cambodia, Chad, Darfur, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Philippines, Romania, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. For example, in late 2007, 10,000 pairs of the recycled Crocs were donated to people throughout the Dominican Republic.
You can donate worn out crocs via your local retailer if they are an "authorized collection center” or mail them in.
And whilst we would normally advocate reuse and repair (ie, resoling) over recycling, this program does, on the surface, appear to have some merit. It keeps plastic out of landfill and provides footwear to those in need. Crocs aren’t, however, being totally benevolent. The donation aspect appears to be predicated on the basis of you buy a pair--we’ll donate a pair.’‘ Sort of like the award winning Tom’s Shoes model. ::SolesUnited, via Green is Sexy
Very nice, but Crocs were invented in Quebec, Canada, sold to an American company but six hundred people were employed in Quebec making them. They are closing that plant and moving production to Mexico, Brazil, China and Romania. They are not just grinding up old shoes, they are grinding up and spitting out their original workforce. They won't be selling many of them in Canada any more.
Well said Lloyd.
And is 20% recycled content really something to cheer about? Seems like a paltry effort to goodwink the public and the viewers here at TH.
PS: Wouldn't buy another pair of Crocs after almost killing myself a few times when walking over a slightly wet smooth surface...pretty much frictionless sole under those conditions. Scary.
20% is better than nothing. What is the recycled content in Nike or Adidas?
If every company used 20% recycled materials, that would be significant for the world.
How do other shoes perform when walking on smooth wet surfaces?
What are these shoes even made of? They feel like vinyl.
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Writer's Note:
They are made of EVA - Ethylene vinyl acetate.
Not to be confused with PVC or Polyvinyl chloride, which is what we normally refer to as 'vinyl'.
I love my crocks, and 20% is better than 0% and the fact that they are made of one material. Rather than 20 mixed into an unrecyclable mess. I use mine mostly as slippers around the house, find them much more comfortable as a slipper than anything i have worn in my life.