Sperry Launches Sustainable Initiative

Footwear brand Sperry is launching an ongoing sustainability platform, Look Good. Do Good. The brand is introducing a new collection of shoes for men, women and kids for spring 2019, made with BIONIC material, spun from plastic recovered from marine and coastal environments.

Sperry's said its Authentic Original boat shoe, the Captain's CVO and the women's Crest Vibe sneaker will feature materials and styling inspired by multicolored sailboat sails with patchwork pieces and stitching details. The collection's packaging features eco-friendly innovations: shoe boxes are made from 100 percent recycled paper material and with vegetable ink and water-based glue.

To educate people on ways they can help protect the environment by reducing their use of plastic, Sperry and Waterkeeper Alliance are partnering on a voice-controlled experience that works via Amazon Echo smart speaker devices. The skill, called Sperry Waterkeeper, is activated through Amazon's voice-controlled virtual assistant service Alexa. When prompted, Sperry Waterkeeper will offer a range of actionable, everyday tips for using less plastic. Such reminders include carrying a reusable water bottle and eliminating the use of plastic straws.

BIONIC sets up recycling facilities and organizes beach cleanups around the world with nongovernmental organization partner Waterkeeper Alliance. Sperry's support of its mission will help raise awareness for the issue of ocean pollution, sponsor beach cleanups to help reduce the 8 million tons of plastic that enter oceans every year and transform tons of marine and coastal plastic into shoes.

"We are a brand born of the sea. It is our duty to get involved and protect the waterways that stretch across the globe and connect us all. We are proud to work with BIONIC and Waterkeeper Alliance," said Kate Minner, Sperry’s chief marketing officer, in a statement.