SPECIAL MENTION: A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study calculated that a pair of sneakers generates 30 pounds of carbon dioxide, mostly from manufacturing. Allbirds and Adidas teamed up to get that score below three kilograms for their Futurecraft.Footprint running shoe, rethinking materials (the upper contains wood pulp), production, logistics and packaging. After a limited run this spring, it’s set to be available for wider purchase next year. —Don Steinberg
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