Okabashi Brands Promotes Conservation and Environmental Leadership in the Design and Manufacture...

BUFORD, Ga. -- Okabashi Brands, Inc. today announced a series of environmental initiatives to support energy and resource conservation at its corporate and manufacturing facility in Buford, Ga. With only 2 percent of shoes manufactured in the United States, Okabashi Brands and its line of comfort

"For more than 25 years, we have been committed to keeping our manufacturing located in the United States, despite the challenges. We now want to bring that same commitment to making smart decisions and upholding the highest environmental standards when it comes to how we make and distribute our materials and shoes," said Bahman Irvani, president and CEO of Okabashi Brands.

Okabashi Brands has instituted the following environmental measures:

--Recycling: Today, Okabashi shoes can comprise up to 15 percent recycled material. The company generates about 15 percent regrind of its proprietary Microplast(R) material during production, which then can be recycled back into producing new shoes. This is just a start as Okabashi looks for ways to increase this percentage of recycled material.

--Vegan Friendly: Okabashi products are vegan friendly and do not contain bio-derived products.

--Waste Reduction: Surplus inventories are often donated to local, national and global causes including the National Odd Shoe Exchange. Giving is also part of the company's social responsibility. In 2006, Okabashi donated thousands of shoes to the United States military. Okabashi also strives to ensure as much of its packaging material is either biodegradable or recyclable.

--Employees Taking Action: Okabashi's corporate employees have started an in- house recycling program for office paper and plastic garbage. Okabashi employees are also encouraged to participate in carpooling and telecommuting when possible.

More about Okabashi's environmental programs can be found at http://www.okabashi.com/environment

About Okabashi Brands, Inc.

Okabashi is the number one brand in massaging footwear, having sold more than 25 million pairs in the U.S. Okabashi can be purchased easily online at www.okabashi.com. Customers can find both men's and women's shoes in a variety of styles and colors and shoe collections include thongs, slides and clogs.

To access this press release and others like this, please visit: www.okabashi.com/news.