If you love the outdoors it’s likely you’ve heard of the footwear brand KEEN,  known for their intensely cushioned footbeds and durable design.  I have a pair of Newport H2s that I’ve had for a couple years and they are still as comfortable and supportive as they were when I first bought them (and they’re still in good shape too).   

What I didn’t know until recently is that KEEN is dedicated to making marked improvements in their efforts to becoming more environmentally and socially responsible.  What I really admire is that they don’t claim to be perfect, but they are committed to doing better which is more than can be said for the majority of shoemakers on the planet. 

In case you’re wondering:

Q: Are KEEN products green and sustainable?

A: This is a focus for KEEN with several initiatives. We are reducing and eliminating materials containing toxins. We are reducing the amount of waste in manufacturing our products. We are harvesting our waste stream for use in new shoes and bags. Lastly, we are using materials with sustainable attributes whenever possible.

Q: Is KEEN monitoring gashouse emissions?

A: Yes, we monitor our GHG emissions. Our goal is to look beyond carbon neutrality and focus our efforts on reducing our overall GHG footprint through product innovation, use of recycled and/or natural materials and a focus on efficiency in production and transportation.

Q: Does KEEN make its products as part of a closed loop process?

A: Is it possible for KEEN and the products we offer to be “green”? What is “green”? Green can sometimes be grey. Our current options present complex choices, but our long-term goal is clear: KEEN, along with the rest of society, needs to embrace and move toward a model of product stewardship where materials circulate in closed loop cycles. A “closed loop cycle” reuses or recycles everything used to make a product.

Such lofty ideals are often elusive, but we’ve established four key initiatives as guideposts on this journey, which focus on 1) reducing and mitigating our waste, 2) integrating more materials with sustainable attributes into our products, 3) monitoring and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, and 4) optimizing our transportation of products. These initiatives will give us a better understanding of our environmental footprint – the resources used to produce and deliver our products to the end consumer. This will give us a map for the uncertain terrain ahead as we seek to minimize our impact.

Q: How can I obtain a copy of the KEEN Report Card that details their corporate responsibility activities?

A: You can email keenreportcard@keenfootwear.com or call 1.866.676.KEEN (5336). 

Q: Where can I find these cute + funky Mary Janes with a woven recycled rice bag upper and footbed made from recycled polyurethene and sustainable cork (shown above)?

A: Here.