Alexei Volkov
Adidas has been turning plastic into shoes since 2015, when it partnered with environmental conservationists Parley for the Oceans. The goal of the partnership was to turn marine pollution into sportswear. Adidas has been making strides in this direction, with over 40% of its apparel using recycled polyester and plans to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024. The process of creating shoes from plastic involves breaking down plastic bottles into plastic flakes, which are then cut into small resin pellets. These pellets are melted to create a filament that is spun into a polyester yarn called Ocean Plastic. Adidas uses this Ocean Plastic to form the upper parts of shoes and clothing. The company estimates that it will produce 11 million pairs of shoes containing recycled ocean plastic and has also developed a 100% recyclable shoe called the Futurecraft Loop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of shoes made with recycled ocean plastic in 2017 | 1 million pairs |
| Number of shoes made with recycled ocean plastic in 2018 | 5 million pairs |
| Number of shoes made with recycled ocean plastic in 2019 | 11 million pairs |
| Amount of plastic prevented from reaching the ocean through partnership with Parley for the Oceans | 2,810 tons |
| Year Adidas partnered with Parley for the Oceans | 2015 |
| Percentage of yarn in shoes made with Parley Ocean Plastic | 50% |
| Percentage of yarn in shoes made with recycled polyester | 50% |
| Percentage of recycled materials in Adidas' main shoe boxes in 2015 | 85% |
| Adidas' goal for percentage of recycled polyester in products by | 2024 |
| Adidas' current percentage of apparel that uses recycled polyester | >40% |
| Name of Adidas' 100% recyclable shoe | Futurecraft Loop |
| Year Adidas removed plastic shopping bags from global retail stores | 2016 |
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What You'll Learn
Adidas' partnership with Parley for the Oceans
Adidas and Parley for the Oceans have been in partnership since 2015, with the sportswear company supporting Parley's mission to protect the oceans.
On Earth Day in 2015, Adidas and Parley unveiled a concept shoe made from reclaimed marine plastic waste at the United Nations. The Ultra Boost prototype featured an upper made of yarns and filaments reclaimed and recycled from ocean waste and illegal deep-sea gillnets. The fishing gear was once used in poaching operations exploiting vulnerable toothfish species in the Southern Ocean.
Adidas and Parley have since collaborated on several projects, including the Adidas Football x Parley Boot Pack, the first-ever boot collection partially made from Parley Ocean Plastic. The sportswear company has also released several shoe models under the Adidas Parley name, including three editions of their UltraBoost shoe and a new version of their Adidas Originals shoe. In 2017, Adidas and Parley held the "Run for the Oceans" event, which aimed to raise awareness of ocean conservation. The UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley, which was sold for $220 a unit, used materials from 11 recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles per pair in the shoe laces, heel linings, and sock liner covers. Adidas has also created Parley swimwear, using plastic recycled into the technical yarn fibre Econyl, which is made up of at least 50% salvaged fishing nets and post-consumer carpets.
Adidas has also taken steps to reduce its plastic waste, such as phasing out the use of plastic bags in its retail stores by the end of Q1 2016 and ending the use of plastic microbeads across all licensed body care products.
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The process of turning plastic into shoes
Adidas has been manufacturing over 400 million pairs of shoes every year, which requires a lot of resources. The company has been exploring eco-friendly alternatives and, in 2015, partnered with Parley for the Oceans to create a line of footwear made from recycled plastic. The Adidas x Parley line of shoes is made from plastic waste intercepted from beaches, coastal communities, and shorelines before it reaches the ocean.
Adidas then melts these pellets to create a filament, which is spun into what they call Ocean Plastic—a form of polyester yarn. This Ocean Plastic is used to form the upper parts of shoes and clothing. The final product is a shoe that meets the same performance and comfort standards as Adidas' other shoes while being made from recycled materials.
Adidas' goal is to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024. They are also developing a 100% recyclable shoe called the Futurecraft Loop, expected to be available in 2021. In addition, Adidas has launched the Stan Smith Mylo shoe, with uppers partially made from lab-grown mycelium, a renewable alternative to traditional materials.
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Adidas' goal to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester
Adidas has been working towards reducing its dependency on virgin polyester since the launch of its first high-performance shoe made with recycled materials in 2015. In 2017, Adidas made a commitment to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester wherever possible by the end of 2024.
Adidas has made substantial progress towards this goal, announcing in April 2023 that 96% of all polyester used in its products is now recycled polyester. The brand is on track to achieve its 2024 goal earlier than expected. This achievement has been made possible through creating technical solutions and imagining new possibilities. For example, Adidas partnered with environmental organization Parley for the Oceans in 2015 to create a line of footwear made from recycled ocean plastic. Each shoe contains 12 plastic bottles' worth of ocean waste, with some material coming from discarded fishing nets. The partnership has prevented 2,810 tons of plastic from reaching the oceans.
Adidas uses plastic bottles that contain polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. The waste is sorted, crushed, washed, dehydrated, heated, dried, and cooled, and then cut into small resin pellets. These pellets are melted to create a filament, which is spun into what Adidas calls Ocean Plastic—a form of polyester yarn. Adidas uses this Ocean Plastic to form the upper parts of shoes and clothing.
As Adidas looks ahead to 2024 and beyond, it will continue to focus on three key areas: changing materials by testing and scaling new raw materials, rethinking entire processes to design products with a circular end-of-life solution, and reducing its carbon footprint.
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The environmental impact of recycled shoes
Adidas, one of the leading shoe manufacturers, has taken a proactive approach to sustainability by turning plastic ocean waste into sneakers and sportswear. In partnership with Parley for the Oceans, Adidas has created a line of footwear made from recycled plastic bottles and marine pollution. This initiative not only prevents plastic from reaching the oceans but also transforms it into a valuable resource for shoe production.
The process of recycling plastic into shoes involves collecting trash from coastal areas, sorting it, and then sending the recovered plastic to an Adidas processing plant. The plastic bottles containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are used to create a form of polyester yarn called "Ocean Plastic." This recycled polyester uses less water and fewer chemicals, helping to reduce plastic pollution. Additionally, Adidas has set a goal to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability.
Additionally, recycled shoes contribute to a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and recycled. For example, recycled EVA (rEVA) takes synthetic foam that would otherwise end up in landfills and recycles it into a cushioning product for midsoles. This process not only reduces waste but also lowers overall carbon emissions. Similarly, recycled PU breaks down and reprocesses polyurethane, fostering a more sustainable approach to shoe production.
The use of recycled materials in shoes also encourages ethical material sourcing and better waste disposal practices. By partnering with organizations like Parley for the Oceans, Adidas is intercepting plastic waste from remote islands, beaches, and coastal communities, preventing it from polluting the oceans. This collaborative effort not only reduces the amount of plastic in the oceans but also raises awareness about the importance of sustainability and eco-friendly alternatives.
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Adidas' other initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint
Adidas has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Firstly, they have set emission reduction targets with the approval of the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). By 2025, Adidas aims to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% compared to a 2017 baseline. This target aligns with the Paris Agreement's most ambitious goal of preventing a temperature rise of more than 1.5°C. Additionally, they have developed tools to quantify, monitor, and maintain transparency about their carbon footprint across their entire value chain, including raw material extraction, production, logistics, and product disposal.
Adidas is also committed to protecting forests and reducing their carbon footprint through their collaboration with Canopy. By joining the CanopyStyle and Pack4Good initiatives, Adidas aims to eliminate the use of fibre sourced from climate-critical forests in their textiles, paper, and packaging while adopting low-carbon and circular alternatives. Furthermore, Adidas has introduced innovative products with lower carbon footprints, such as the Adizero Lightstrike and Supernova 2, which have significantly reduced carbon emissions compared to their previous versions.
In addition to product innovations, Adidas has partnered with other companies to create more sustainable options. For example, in 2021, Adidas and Allbirds collaborated to create FUTURECRAFT.FOOTPRINT, their lowest carbon emissions performance running shoe, with emissions of 2.94 kg CO2e per pair. They also launched FUTURECRAFT.LOOP in 2019, the world's first shoe made from a single material, allowing it to be recycled and remade into something new. Adidas has also replaced virgin polyester with recycled polyester wherever possible since 2024.
Adidas is actively working with its suppliers to reduce their environmental impact. They have set clear decarbonization goals for their strategic suppliers, encouraging them to enroll in the 'UNFCCC Climate Action Training' program and develop their decarbonization pathways. Additionally, Adidas has established a core team of experts to monitor physical risks related to climate change and identify opportunities in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The company has also incentivized suppliers to improve their carbon footprint during production, with some suppliers purchasing Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to reduce emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Adidas partnered with Parley for the Oceans in 2015 to create shoes made from recycled plastic. Parley collects plastic waste from beaches and coastal communities, which is then sorted and sent to an Adidas processing plant. The plastic is then crushed, washed, dehydrated, and cut into small resin pellets, which are melted and spun into polyester yarn.
Adidas manufactures 400 million pairs of shoes every year, which requires a lot of resources and can be harmful to the environment. By using recycled plastic, Adidas aims to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to the preservation of the oceans.
Adidas uses plastic bottles that contain polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The plastic is broken down into plastic flakes, which are then cut into small resin pellets. These pellets are melted and spun into polyester yarn, which is used to create the upper parts of shoes.
Yes, Adidas shoes made from recycled plastic meet the same performance and comfort standards as their other shoes. Recycled polyester uses less water and fewer chemicals, and helps prevent plastic pollution. Adidas is also developing a 100% recyclable shoe called the Futurecraft Loop.
