Hero Highlight: Allbirds

Companies and Leaders, Doing Right By Their Customers and Employees

Allbirds decided to do shoes differently. Made from sustainable materials, Allbirds is on a mission to eliminate their products’ carbon footprint. Companies are having to pivot, innovate, and get creative. Some are leading by example. Each week at reachXOD, we highlight companies who are going above and beyond to connect to their customers during a time of uncertainty. Allbirds is an innovator and trailblazer in the shoe industry and they have no plans of slowing down, introducing new, sustainable shoes on the market frequently.

In 2014, New Zealand naitive Tim Brown asked himself why wool, a remarkable, sustainable resource was virtually absent in the footwear industry. He decided to team up with Joey Zwillinger, an engineer and renewables expert, to explore how they could fill that need. Together, they created a revolutionary wool fabric made specifically for footwear. 

Impressively enough, Allbirds racked up $100 million in total revenue over its first two years in business and is now evaluated at $1.4 billion. Talk about a success story! Not only are they sustainable (and profitable!) but they are also: machine washable, are able to be worn sockless, as well as temperature and odor controlled due to their breathable nature. Allbirds’ original shoe, the Tree Runners, have become a fan favorite of Silicon Valley, known for their simplistic design and true comfort. Now their product line has exploded, offering everything from performance running shoes to their recently added apparel. 

One of Allbirds’ most impressive missions is making their shoes completely carbon neutral. On their website they discuss how they plan to do just that. Starting by measuring the emissions of everything from their raw materials to their end of life. Then reducing their  impact by incorporating things like natural and recycled materials. With the little bit that’s left, Allbirds utilizes carbon offsets such as their packaging made from 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard that serves as a shoebox, shopping bag, and mailer, all in one.

At reachXOD, we admire Allbirds’ bold action to reinvent what sustainability looks like in the shoe industry. Take initiative. Be proactive and transparent. Be human. Look for the heroes. Learn from their journeys. 

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