TheDailyRunner.com

Newton’s Eco-Friendly Packaging a Snug Fit

Article and Image from EnvironmentalLeader.com

Boulder-based Newton Running has found an alternative to traditional printed cardboard shoe boxes.

With help from TDA Advertising and Design, the company designed a new way to package their product - running shoes - in a molded carton made of 100% post consumer recycled material. (Image via The Dieline.)

Because the shape of the carton fits closely to the shape of the shoe, there is no need for tissue paper. And  rather than stuff paper inside of the shoes to help them retain their shape, Newton includes a pair of socks and a reusable shoe bag - one in each shoe, PSFK explains.

Other shoe retailers making effort to be more sustainable include Nike, which released a basketball shoe ade from manufacturing waste in Feb. ‘08, and Adidas, which claimed in March that it is using natural resources more efficiently to produce and package its products.

On the other end of the spectrum, FinishLine.com was recently exposed by a blogger for its ludicrous shipping practices.

Being green, but not with envy

“It’s not easy being green.” Kermit the Frog’s melancholy catch phrase caught the attention of millions of “Muppet Show” viewers and tugged at the hearts of those who cared about the felt frog as he sat on his lilypad while eluding Miss Piggy.

“Going green” is a more recent catch phrase, also attracting the attention of millions, but stemming from the drive to protect our environment rather than lamenting over blending in with it.

If you’re anyone who’s anyone, you’ve got green, you’re going green, turning green, voting green or now even running green. “Going green” is the old “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” on overdrive. It’s beyond putting the wine bottles and newspapers out for biweekly pickup; it’s more than collecting the beer cans from the family hoedown in a separate bag; it’s reducing our carbon footprint and becoming more eco-friendly.

But what exactly is running green? I wore my green Saucony running shoes yesterday and ran more on my toes than normal. That reduced my footprint, right? Not exactly.

For the rest of the story, go here... http://www.gjfreepress.com/article/20081016/HEALTH/810159974/1023&parentprofile=1063&title=Being%20green,%20but%20not%20with%20envy

Running Green

When most road races are over, the courses are strewn with cups, bottles, clothing, food and other detritus, as if Caesar's legions had passed by. And though the stuff usually gets picked up, it amounts to a lot of waste.

That will not happen at Saturday's ING Hartford Marathon. Organizers have been working for several years to make it the greenest athletic event in the country. Last year, said race director Beth Shluger, they eliminated cups and 10,000 water bottles at the finish line, thanks to a 70-foot-long, 40-person water bubbler invented by United Technologies Corp. engineers.

For more, go here... http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-marathon.artoct05,0,3524445.story

Eco-Running -- What better day to get started than Earth Day

Blog:  You might remember a post I made a few weeks ago about Eco-Running.  That's where you combine running with picking up trash.  Well, it's no surprise that the Eco-Running website has come up with a challenge for you on Earth Day.  The question is, "Will you do it??"

Here's the link to the Eco-Running website

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Eco-Running

Blog:  Ever heard of "Eco-Running"?  It's a way to combine the "green" in you with running.  When you see litter along your run, you pick it up and put it in a "bio bag", which is environmentally friendly. 

Here's a website about it


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