Dr. Scholl’s Shoes has announced they are invest in sustainable,
eco-conscious design to create environmentally lower-impact shoes. The
brand has long been dedicated to comfort, but now they are taking their
mission one step further with a journey to make shoes using eco-conscious
materials, finding ways to reduce packaging, and choosing sustainable
processes when possible.
“Designing shoes that look and feel good is at the center of what we do,
but we believe we have a responsibility to do more,” said Keith Duplain,
senior vice president and general manager of Dr. Scholl’s Shoes, in a
statement. “Doing good to make the world better— that’s where our passion
truly lies. We’re excited to embark on this journey toward sustainability
using the latest in innovation and eco-conscious design.”
Dr. Scholl’s Shoes is kicking off the initiative with men’s and women’s
sneakers, the Howe and Herzog, crafted from eco-conscious, sustainably
sourced materials as part of the Original Collection.
“We were given the opportunity to explore every possible option to create
more sustainable shoes,” said Andee Burton, product development manager for
Dr. Scholl’s Shoes, in a statement. “So, we went for it! There is a rice
husk in the outsole to reduce the use of synthetic rubber, which is made of
petroleum. The midsole has an algae-based EVA, and the cool thing about
that is that we’re taking the algae from environments in the U.S. and China
where the algae is suffocating fish, plants, and other microorganisms
living in the water. The fabric is made of 80 percent recycled bottles, the
leather is repurposed and chrome-free, and all the linings are 100 percent
cotton, which is decomposable, unlike polyester. This shoe is our beacon of
light.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes also launched a limited-release,
eco-conscious men’s sneaker in collaboration with St. Louis rapper
Mvstermind, who was recently featured in the brand’s “Do What You Love”
campaign. The fresh, urban sneaker featured a knit fabric and lining made
from 80 percent recycled bottles and an algae-based insole and midsole.
While Dr. Scholl’s Shoes is at the beginning of its sustainability journey,
the brand is committed to incorporating eco-conscious materials into all of
its shoes for its upcoming collections, with a goal for every shoe to
contain sustainable elements in the near future.
Beyond shoe design, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes is doing its part for the
environment by rethinking its packaging, soon introducing its most
sustainable box ever made with recyclable materials and soy-based inks.
Packaging has also been reduced. Sending orders in one box whenever
possible, in addition to reducing packaging on the inside of the box and
switching shoe sticks from plastic to bamboo.
Beginning with their spring 2019 collection, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes has already
made a measurable impact, investing to plant more than 6,000 trees,
diverting more than 8,000 plastic bottles from landfills, using more than
100,000 yards of sustainable materials and saving more than 1 million
square feet of plastic.
“We understand that sustainability is a journey, not an end destination,”
said Jay Schmidt, division president of Caleres Brand Portfolio, in a
statement. “From materials to packaging to our processes, we’re committed
to sustainability at all levels and have continued goals for the future.”
photo: via Businesswire