What Is The Environmental Impact Of Runners?

A study, by MIT researchers in the US, performed a life-cycle assessment on runners and found that a typical pair of runners generates 14 kg of carbon emissions. About 65 billion euros will be spent on runners this year worldwide, with forecasts to increase this amount to 85 billion euros by 2025. So what are the environmental consequences of the rapidly growing runner industry?

The carbon footprint of runner production  

Runner production is exceptionally carbon intensive, accounting for 1.4% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. We are all too aware of the particularly high carbon emissions caused by air travel. However, global runner production equates to a massive 55% of the total air travel carbon emissions.

Manufacturers are trying to reduce the carbon footprint of runners, with new materials and processes being used. However, with the majority of runner production taking place in Eastern countries, transportation costs and emissions will always be a major factor.

The most effective thing a consumer can do is to extend the life of their runners -- cutting their carbon footprint.

Currently, more than 85% of shoes are sent to landfill or incinerated at the end of their usable life. Runner Harmony can extend the life of runners and therefore reduce your carbon emissions, which can only have a positive impact on our planet.