ECO FRIENDLY FOOTWEAR
The Santiago
Project - the shoe that does good
Editor, Cheryl Taylor, takes a look at a new footwear collection with surprisingly green credentials
Creating new ideas from old ways of thinking and harmonizing economic goals with ecological needs is KEEN’s mission. At KEEN it all started with a simple design challenge – Can a sandal protect your toes? The answer was yes. The “Newport” hybrid sandal revolutionised the outdoor market. On this basis, KEEN went on to develop hybrid
S
products for a broad target group, defining “outdoor” as any place without a ceiling – from a garden to a mountain summit. However, all products from the shoes, bags or socks categories have one thing in common. Throughout their development and production, efforts were made to protect the environment as far as possible and to explore new ways by questioning old practices or reusing old materials. KEEN now has a presence in over 50 countries – and people all over the world live a HybridLife by embracing innovation, enjoying the outdoors and caring for the environment and their surroundings. The company’s commitment to sustainability
can be seen in many "green" production processes. These include the use of natural substances (canvas, merino, cork, natural rubber) or recycled mate rials (reused transport sacks, recycled aluminium for buckles and zippers, waste products from outsole production for rubber bag bottoms or former PET bottles which form part of a polyester/cotton mix used in sock production). Even the shoeboxes are manufactured using recycled and biodegradable materials. The Santiago project, some three years in the making, began with a visit from KEEN to Santiago de los Caballeros, the second biggest city in the DR, which has a long history of making footwear,
30 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • AUGUST 2011
ince the company was founded in 2003, KEEN has been committed to following corporate principles which are both environmentally and socially responsible.
to learn how to make a shoe more sustainably (the site is close to KEEN’s main sales market - the USA - which allows for decreased trans - portation time and C02 emissions.) Starting with manufacturing equipment was
the first step and repairing energy-saving, worn- out machines was critical to the process. KEEN searched the world for machines assigned for landfill, collecting 200 direct vulcanizing DESMA machines - equipment well known and used throughout Europe during the 1950’s and 60’s. After scouring the globe—including Poland, Russia, Turkey, and Spain—KEEN gathered a few dozen dusty, vintage models. Once refurbished, the machines were pressed back into service, being operated by a local workforce, who apply heat and pressure to vulcanize rubber soles to cotton canvas uppers—no glues or stitches required. The factory currently employs 76 members of staff. From Autumn 2011, the small amount of electricity required to heat the molds will be obtained solely from solar energy. Inspired by their birthplace, the shoes come in vibrant, saturated colours including Living Coral and Mimosa. The Santiago collection, which includes women’s, men’s and children’s versions, as well as an infant-only Mary Jane, is available to buy from March at
www.keenfootwear.com KEEN will also be donating $5 from the sales of
each pair of Santiago sneakers sold worldwide into their its HybridLife Hope Fund, which works in conjunction with microlending expert Kiva to fund projects that revitalize communities by offering small loans to people around the globe with entrepreneurial ideas.
To stock the Santiago line, contact KEEN’s UK sales team, Bradshaw Taylor, on 01572 772500
About KEEN KEEN Inc., manufacturer of hybrid
footwear, socks and bags, is an outdoor brand that delivers innova tive hybrid products, enabling outdoor enthusiasts to live an active lifestyle. Founded in 2003, KEEN was first recognized for its Newport sandal, which featured patented toe protection techno logy. Since then the company has been recognized for outstanding trail and casual products, and in 2010 was named one of “America’s Best Places to Work” by Outside Magazine. The company strives to demonstrate
integrity and leadership, especially on social and environ mental commitments, while promoting a vibrant, inclusive community that attracts all kinds of out - door enthusiasts. Through its giving program
Hybrid.Care, KEEN supports a variety of social and environmental organizations around the globe. Based in Portland, Oregon, KEEN
products are available in more than 5,000 retail locations in more than 50 countries – including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Central AmErica, South America and Europe. To learn more, visit
www.keenfootwear.com.
KEEN HybridLife Community can be followed on Twitter (@Keen_shoes) and Facebook (
facebook.com/keeninc). For Europe:
twitter.com/KeenEurope,
facebook.com/pages/KEEN-Europe/
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