Crocs Life Cycle

Most Americans can easily recognize the popular footwear brand Crocs even if they do not own a pair. With over 50 million pairs are sold annually, this comes as no surprise ("Crocs 2014 Sustainability Report”). However, the majority of American consumers give little to no thought of the entire life cycle of Crocs, but only to their use of the shoes. They do not question what exactly they are made of and what occurs after they are discarded, which can be potentially dangerous. Although Crocs are a popular everyday shoe with high functionality and more eco-friendly than others, the life cycle of Crocs has both negatively and positively altered today’s society socially and ecologically due to the disposal processes, presence of chemicals in

Many nurses appreciate the comfort and stability that the shoes offer. Longtime nurse Lynn Laidlaw from Alloa, Scotland agrees, stating that “they are by far the most comfortable pair of shoes [she has] ever worn, especially on a busy 12-hour shift” (Laidlaw). Concurring with this opinion is Harold Glickman, the former president of the APMA who gets “the sense [he is] standing on water -- no leg pain, no back pain, and no arch pain when operating for three or four hours at a time” (Hatfield). However, most models of Crocs have holes in them, allowing fluids or sharp items to penetrate one’s foot ("Nurses Unconvinced By Crocs Danger Claims”). Furthermore, Crocs Inc. issued a safety caution warning nurses that Crocs cause static to generate, potentially hampering with medical apparatus like heart monitors for example ("Wear Anti-Static Wrist Bands, Say Crocs Manufacturers"). The company even advised medical practitioners to wear anti-static wristbands while on duty in spite of the fact that most hospitals do not allow the staff to have anything below their elbows. Mike Hayward, a professional nurse adviser at the Royal College of Nursing, declares that they are not appropriate in areas with technical equipment because safety supersedes