After you've squeezed out the very last mile in your running shoes, like most of us, you toss them in the trash. Did you ever think about how long it takes for those well-worn running shoes to degrade once they've come to rest in a landfill? Amazingly, it can take up to 1000 years for an ordinary running shoe to break down. Brooks Sports, Inc., a company known for their innovative design of high-performance men's and women's running shoes, apparel and accessories, has developed a shoe that solves this dilemma.
The Brooks Trance 8 is the first running shoe with a biodegradable midsole. Taking the award-winning design of the Brooks Trance 7 and adding a revolutionary material, the Brooks Trance 8 was born. The midsole of the Trance 8 is made of a material called BioMoGo, which breaks down 50 times faster than an ordinary running shoe. BioMoGo is comprised of a nontoxic, natural additive that speeds up the process of biodegradation. The anaerobic microbes found in dump sites break down nutrients into reusable byproducts. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), which comprises the typical running shoe, can sit in a landfill for up to 1000 years. In tests performed by Brooks' research team, it was determined that the Brooks Trance 8 will take approximately 20 years to biodegrade.
Brooks estimates that by using BioMoGo in their shoes, there will be 30 million pounds less of landfill waste over a 20 year period. Don't worry, you won't be faced with a shoebox full of dust when you have the urge to take a run. The BioMoGo only breaks down when exposed to an environment that is commonly known as the triple convergence. A high microbial load, low oxygen content and adequate moisture levels work together in active, enclosed landfills – not your closet – to biodegrade the Brooks Trance 8 running shoes.
Brooks is a company committed both to the health of the environment in which we live and to the wellness of the people that live in this world. As an example of this deep commitment, Brooks decided to treat the BioMoGo technology as an "open source" innovation. This means that they will share BioMoGo's technology with other footwear manufacturers, and interested industries, with the hope that less landfill waste will be created.
In addition to being known for their groundbreaking, award winning footwear designs, Brooks has also been honored for addressing environmental issues in their running shoe design efforts. Most recently, they have been honored with three green awards. Brooks was awarded the Footwear News 2008 Green Award, while Runner's World presented Brooks their 2008 International Green Award. Trail Runner's first-ever Sprout Award was given to Brooks for BioMoGo, deeming it the "Best Green Innovation."
Brooks Sports, Inc., based in Bothell, Washington, was founded in 1914 and is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. Brooks' footwear is designed with the biomechanical needs of runners to produce a running shoe that is both comfortable and helps to prevent running-related injuries. Brooks Sports mission is to "inspire everyone to run and be active by creating innovative gear that keeps them running longer, farther, and faster."
The Brooks Trance 8 retails for approximately $140.oo at Brooksrunning.com or at your local Brooks footwear dealer.
