The Local: Keen Utility
Author: Jennie Bell
When it comes to sustainability, Keen Utility has a unique selling point: Many of the company’s work boots have a lower carbon footprint because they are assembled domestically in its Portland, Ore., factory. However, Keen Utility told FN its foremost commitment is to crafting tough boots that can hold up season after season, thus keeping fewer shoes out of landfills. Throughout its supply chain, the company has worked to eliminate toxic chemicals from its operations, such as PFCs, “a forever chemical” that doesn’t break down in the environment. Keen spent four years and roughly $1 million developing a process to find and remove PFCs applied to components and materials in its supply chain, and last year it shared the information in a public “green paper” that has been accessed by more than 700 external developers and supply chain experts.