While most of us aren't super pleased with the economy right now, one team of former investment bankers are viewing the financial collapse as a chance to start an eco-friendly footwear company with a heart of gold. Greensoul Shoes, co-founded by a former Bear Sterns banker, takes materials recovered from landfills by locals in Southeast Asia and constructs sandals to sell to the developed world. For each pair you buy, GreenSoul will donate a pair to a needy someone in the developing world.

Using the top-notch financial skills they used to collaps the world economy, (just kidding, these guys are probably geniuses), GreenSoul hopes to be able to donate 1 million pairs of sandals over the next five years. Of course, the tricky part will be selling a million pairs of sandals -- which will go for about $45 a pop.

The plan is certainly impressive, and the sandals ... well, they're OK. They beat the hell out of Crocs (we know that's not saying much), who has a similar socially-conscious plan for recycling their fugly shoes.

Bankers are a pretty universally loathed class of people these days, so it's nice to see some ex i-bankers giving something back. We hope it works out.