Today’s Solutions: January 19, 2026

An MIT study determined that the process of making a typical pair of sneakers results in 30 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Considering that 20 billion pairs of shoes are produced globally each year, it’s safe to say shoes are a major culprit in the fight against climate change. Thankfully, some companies like Nike and Timberland are starting to adapt their ways. Nike’s knit shoe, which is a one-piece construction, has allowed the company to cut down on 3.5 millions pounds of waste between 2012 and 2016. As for Timberland, they have teamed up with a recycling company to break plastic bottles down into little flakes that can be rolled into a fabric and used to make boots. Best of all, Timberland’s recycling program takes place in Haiti and allows people to trade plastic bottles for money.

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