Nike Launches New App to Help Designers Make Eco-Friendlier Choices

Nike has launched a new tool to help apparel designers make informed decisions about the sustainability of the materials they choose. Dubbed "Making," the free app scores 22 frequently used textiles based on data from Nike's open-source Materials Sustainability Index. Each material is further ranked according to its specific environmental impact on water, chemistry, energy, and waste, as well as its use of recycled or organic content.

TOOL FOR CHANGE

The global apparel industry is expected to produce more than 400 billion square meters of fabric annually—enough to blanket the state of California—by 2015, according to industry numbers. Even today, dye houses use up to 200 tons of water for every ton of fabric they process.

The global apparel industry is expected to produce more than 400 billion square meters of fabric annually by 2015.

“Imagine if we could change these figures—the sustainable difference it would make,” says Hannah Jones, vice president of sustainable business and innovation at Nike, in a statement. “Today, more than ever, we believe that systems innovation, transparency and sharing of tools and indexes will propel business and society towards a more sustainable future.”

The sportswear giant worked with the London College of Fashion to solicit additional feedback during Making’s development. Nike also invited students from the school’s Centre for Sustainable Fashion to use the app to create a capsule collection of athletic uniforms for the 2016 Olympic games in Brazil.

“It was incredibly insightful to use the data in Making while creating our designs,” says Alasdair Leighton-Crawford, a student at London College of Fashion. “The app helped us identify materials that have lower environmental impacts, without compromising the design process. Making shows that sustainability is not a limit, but an inspiring new way to look at product creation.”

+ Making on iTunes

Nike Gore Juniper Jacket - Recycled PET GORE TEX™ 2 Layer Performance Shell Fabric

The Nike Gore Juniper Jacket is a good looking technical jacket with Recycled PET GORE TEX™ 2 Layer Performance Shell Fabric! It's great to see Nike using recycled materials in their outerwear! Here are the other specs:

• Fully Taped Seams
• Adjustable Hood
• Music Compatible Pocket
• Powder Skirt with Jacket to Pant Interface
• RiRi AQUAzip™ Water Repellant Zippers

nikesnowboarding.com/products

Müller Nike Zoom Kaiju boot

I'm pumped to see Nike incorporating Recycled PET bottle synthetic leather and a new EPM(environmentally preferred material) liner lining into the Müller Nike Zoom Kaiju boot! Now these aren't your typical Kaiju boots. Nico has had his hand in these since the idea was put on the table. Along with Nike Snowboarding, artist ITES and Nico set out to create one unique looking boot that sports all the Kaiju features that keep Nico doing what he does. As one of the best snowboarders out there, one might say these could be one of the best boots as well.

Müller / Nike Zoom Kaiju Features: Check it out on nikesnowboarding.com

• TPU backstay for protection and high rebound flex.
• Articulating Flywire Cuff for increased heel hold while decreasing bulk around ankle.
• Webbing lace system with neoprene eyestay for easy tightening with Nike Snowboarding lace lock at fourth loop for zonal tightening.
• Support truss with stitching reinforcement in upper quarter for maximum support with minimum material.
• Outlast temperature controlled liner and foot bed.
• Free Technology - Increased Board Feel.
• Asymmetrical "No Sew" weld on toe for edge protection.
• Zoom Air embedded in phylon for cushioning.
• Warming Strobal Technology in liner and shell.
• Neoprene cuff design allows freedom of movement without clumsy "floating cuff" piece.
• Recycled PET bottle synthetic leather
• NEW EPM (environmentally preferred material) liner lining
• Digitally printed upper
• Art by ITES

Offered in a limited run from Nike Snowboarding you can't just snag a pair of these boots off of the internet. You have to find a local Nike Snowboarding retailer lucky enough to carry them. 

Don't forget to check out Nike Snowboarding on facebook for more updates on the Nico boot and more limited edition pieces coming out soon.

Nike’s Sustainable Business and Innovation lab starts venture capital group

Bloomberg is reporting that Nike’s Sustainable Business and Innovation lab has started a venture capital group that will fund new energy operations and companies with more sustainable business practices.  The group will also invest in businesses that are supporting a healthy, active lifestyle.

From SportsOneSource:

Nike Sustainable Business and Innovation is establishing a venture capital operation to identify and fund alternative energies and more sustainable business practices, Bloomberg reported.

Nike Sustainable Business & Innovation (SB&I) Lab will invest in startups developing more sustainable business practices or that promote healthy lifestyles.

Nike created SB&I in 2009 as part of an overhaul of its corporate social responsibility efforts. Its mission is to fast- track integration of corporate responsibility into its business and develop scalable solutions to enable Nike’s evolution to a closed-loop business model.

The SB&I has not yet made any investments.

SB&I focuses on our key business priorities - sustainable products, sustainable manufacturing and sustainable marketplaces - and on elements of our strategy. It works through a matrix structure, with defined priorities for each team. The SB&I function reports to Nike’s vice president of Sustainable Business & Innovation, who reports directly to the NIKE, Inc. CEO and to the Corporate Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors.

Sustainable Apparel Coalition Launches

Several heavy hitting apparel brands, retailers and organizations such as Patagonia, Nike and The Outdoor Industry Association, have launched the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a group of 30 businesses working to lead the industry towards developing improved sustainability strategies and tools to measure and evaluate sustainability performance. The coalition, which was created informally last year, is modeling its new initiative—the Version 1.0 Apparel Index—after Nike’s Apparel Environmental Design Tool and the Outdoor Industry Association’s Eco Index.

The Outdoor Industry Association is a member of the Coalition and welcomes the launch. “OIA looks forward to working as a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to build robust tools for apparel and footwear that are driven by content found in the outdoor industry Eco Index,” said Amy Roberts, vice president of Government Affairs for OIA. “At the same time, we will continue to support the unique ability of the outdoor industry to lead in the work of sustainability as we complete the Eco Index content and develop environmental impact evaluation tools and education that assist our member companies as they make sourcing, product life cycle and purchasing decisions.”

Story by Transworld Business

Nike 6.0 Outerwear 2010-2011

For Nike 6.0’s inaugural release, the design began with the athletes needs and opinions for making their voice heard through the product they ride in. Nike 6.0 is different from Nike Snowboarding in it’s designs, functionality and focus on the Nike Heritage.  They take influence from classic Nike silhouettes and continues with the spirit of the 6.0 brand.

The first offering of 6.0 outerwear is focused on functional performance with an emphasis on eco-friendly materials. All the pieces (men’s and women’s) in the line utilize Nike Grind trims, which are made from recycled shoe materials. They are also applying recycled shell fabrics and recycled liner fabrics. The entire 6.0 outerwear line has been designed and developed to meet the requirements of Nikes Considered Design.

Check out the full review at shayboarder.com.