I received this email from Kaitlin Kerns who works for Dan  Klores Communications out of NY, which is an agency that represents New Balance and I said of course! I love eco-friendly anything and I am a big fan of NB. In fact I am working on another awesome story about their domestic manufacturing which will be making its way on to the site shortly, but in the mean time, please check out Kaitlins email and NB’s Eco Friendly line! Thanks Kaitlin!

Good afternoon Julia,

I wanted to reach out and let you know about New Balance’s new eco-preferred collection that will feature shoes that utilize environmentally preferred materials, constructions and manufacturing processes. The collection is part of a larger, corporate-wide sustainability initiative to operate our business in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Below is the press release and I have attached more information as well.

Thank you!

Kaitlin

NEW BALANCE EXPANDS OUTDOOR CATEGORY WITH  AN ECO-PREFERRED COLLECTION

BOSTON, December 19, 2008 – Boston-based New Balance will add to its well-established Outdoor category with a new eco-preferred collection. This new collection will feature shoes that utilize environmentally preferred materials, constructions and manufacturing processes. The collection is part of a larger, corporate-wide sustainability initiative to operate our business in an environmentally sensitive manner. 

The first shoe in New Balance’s eco-preferred collection, the New Balance 70, is developed for fashionable consumers who consider the environment without relaxing their standards of style and comfort. Seventy-five percent of the upper components are “environmentally preferred materials.” The laces, webbing, rand, quarter, tongue and saddle incorporate recycled polyester; the foxing and the tip of the shoe are synthetics made with fewer solvents than traditional materials. Rice husks filler in the outsole reduces the amount of rubber needed, thus reducing the amount of petroleum used. Water-based adhesives (rather than solvent-based) are used to join the upper and the sole unit and no paper stuffing or paper wrapping are used in the packaging of 70.

The 70 was also thoughtfully designed to reduce waste. The upper is constructed with minimal layers to reduce unnecessary material usage. It features a uniquely efficient design–the parts fit together much like a puzzle–in an effort to utilize as much of the original cutting material as possible. The 70 will launch this July 2009 and retail for $80.00. 

“We used our best available resources and technologies to decrease the environmental footprint of the 70,” says Katherine Petrecca, senior outdoor product manager at New Balance. “The new eco-preferred collection is another step of many as we make progress to operate our entire business in an environmentally sensitive manner.”

The 70 and the new eco-preferred collection is part of New Balance’s larger sustainability initiative which targets three main areas: product, manufacturing, and facilities. New Balance is incorporating sustainable thinking into our daily business practices in a way that aligns with New Balance core values and business goals.

About New Balance

New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host.  New Balance employs more than 2,800 people around the globe, and in 2007 reported worldwide sales of $1.63 billion.  For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com

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Kaitlin Kerns

Dan Klores Communications

386 Park Avenue South, 10th fl.

New York, NY 10016

(T) 212.981.5231

(F) 212.981.5431