Biodegradable sneakers?   Anything with 'green' slapped on it is going to sell to a certain audience but, as science always knew and the public discovered about ethanol, just because activists and a politician or two talks a lot about it doesn't make it better for the environment.

Plastics are essential in modern life and a biodegradable version that uses less petroleum would be terrific, but are they a net gain for the environment?   The iameco, billed as the world's first biodegradable computer, had a frame made from wood pulp and its panels contained seeds so that when thrown away it would eventually grow new trees.   

Kelsey Kind at Discovery also has other interesting ideas, like OAT Shoes, a compostable sneaker using hemp, cork and organic cotton.

They're still wildly expensive, of course, but new things always are.  In the meantime, maybe it would make sense to simply use computers longer and buy less things that need plastic.  But if you want to stay in the green zone, why not go all out and buy ethical underwear made from pine clippings?  Why are pine clippings better than renewable cotton for the environment?  It's not a question marketing people want you to ask.


This underwear is made from pine clippings