The Lightest Tread Podcast Episode 1: Mike Baker

SOLE, ReCORK and CO2negative founder and CEO Mike Baker chats all things SOLE and sustainability in the lead-up to Earth Day

/ Posted on April 21, 2022 by SOLE

In this very first episode of the The Lightest Tread podcast, Paul Maughan-Brown chats to SOLE, ReCORK and CO2negative founder and CEO Mike Baker about his personal journey revolutionizing sustainability in the footwear industry.

We hear about the lake house floor that inspired natural wine cork recycling program ReCORK, what it took to maintain focus and dedication to an ideal over 14 years of driving the program, and what's in store for SOLE and ReCORK moving forward. We also hear about the launch of CO2negative to offer a way of empowering people to take control of their own climate impact, and discuss other ways of preventing oneself from becoming overwhelmed and staying optimistic and hopeful in the face of the climate crisis.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:01 Small talk and mask burning anecdote

06:15 Background recap of where SOLE is in terms of sustainable initiatives

13:20 Almost 130 million wine corks collected by ReCORK for recycling

16:00 ReCORK Recycled Cork breakthrough material

18:20 Earth Day Everyday and how it applies specifically to SOLE and ReCORK

20:15 What has kept Mike so motivated and dedicated to an ideal for so long

23:56 The story of the inspirational lake house floor

31:36 We have a natural affinity to cork

33:50 New packaging! Check out this article on our new packaging.

36:25 Sustainability in the outdoor industry