Nike Offers Considered Line As Example For Eco Working Group
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Nike's Considered Line Scores Points For Using
Eco-Conscious Materials, Showing Innovation |
Shoe, clothing and gear manufacturers are collaborating on a system known as the Eco Working Group to "measure their environmental footprint," and Nike has offered up its Considered line, a sustainable design system that debuted in the spring '09 collection, "as a learning tool," according to Laura Oppenheimer of the Portland OREGONIAN. The Eco Working Group, which seeks to "cut back on waste and toxins, use more eco-friendly materials and share progress with consumers," launched in '07 and had recruited "more than 80 outdoor businesses" by late last year. Participants said that they have "good reason to band together," as the more companies that "demand sustainable materials, the more prices will fall." Nike products score points for "using eco-conscious materials, reducing waste in factories, cutting toxins and showing innovation." Nike reinvented its Pegasus running shoe for the spring '09 launch of Considered Design, and the shoe now uses "fewer materials, more recycled materials and water-based adhesives." The shoe also weighs 13% less than in the past. Fifteen percent of Nike footwear is Considered this spring, and the goal is to reach 100% by '11. If Nike follows through, the company "would reduce waste by 17[%] and boost eco-conscious materials" by 20%. Considered Design GM Lorrie Vogel said that "even with the added focus on the environment ... Nike keeps strict standards." Consumers "don't pay extra for Considered products," and they "shouldn't sacrifice performance -- a sure way to kill the image of sustainability." Oppenheimer noted Nike will "share lessons and challenges of Considered with the Eco Working Group," and Vogel said that Nike "hopes to open the system's inner workings to the public next year" (Portland OREGONIAN, 3/3).
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