Adidas Water Shoes: Plastic Pollution And Sustainable Steps

Adidas has been working to reduce its environmental impact by incorporating recycled plastic into its products. In 2015, Adidas partnered with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental conservation organisation, to create a line of footwear made from recycled ocean waste. Each shoe in the Adidas x Parley collection contains the equivalent of 12 plastic bottles worth of ocean waste, including plastic from discarded fishing nets. The brand has also released water shoes, such as the Run For The Oceans Primeblue UltraBoost 21, and the Parley x Adidas Ultraboost 21, which are made with Primeblue, a plastic alternative created in collaboration with Parley. Adidas' goal is to eventually replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester and eliminate virgin plastic from its supply chain.

Adidas' goal to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester

Adidas has been working towards reducing its dependency on virgin polyester since its first high-performance shoe made with recycled materials was released in 2015. The company has set an ambitious goal to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester by the end of 2024. This goal was first announced in 2017, and Adidas is well on track to achieve it, with 96% of all polyester used in Adidas products now being recycled polyester.

Adidas's commitment to sustainability goes beyond just its products. The company has also developed a 100% recyclable shoe called the Futurecraft Loop, which is made to be remade. This means that the shoe can be returned and broken down to create a brand-new pair. The Futurecraft Loop is expected to be available in 2021.

In addition to its recyclable shoe line, Adidas has partnered with environmental organization Parley for the Oceans to turn marine pollution into sportswear. In 2019, Adidas produced 11 million pairs of shoes with recycled ocean plastic, more than double the number it produced in 2018. The Parley collection is made from at least 75% intercepted marine trash and meets the same performance and comfort standards as Adidas' other shoes.

Adidas's efforts to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester are part of its broader sustainability initiatives. The company is also working to reduce its carbon footprint and test and scale new raw materials. While using recycled materials is a significant step forward, it doesn't solve all environmental issues, and Adidas recognizes the need to continuously innovate and improve its practices.

Adidas' partnership with Parley for the Oceans

Adidas, the German multinational company, and Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organisation, have been in partnership since 2015. The goal of this partnership is to turn marine pollution into sportswear.

Parley for the Oceans addresses environmental threats to the oceans through plastic pollution. Adidas, on the other hand, manufactures over 400 million pairs of shoes annually, requiring a lot of resources. The company recognised that constantly creating new materials is harmful to the environment. Experts predict that in 30 years, the amount of plastic in the oceans will surpass that of fish. This pollution is detrimental to both marine life and humans, with an estimated 90% of seabirds having consumed plastic waste.

The Adidas x Parley line of footwear features shoes made from 12 plastic bottles' worth of ocean waste, including discarded fishing nets. The partnership has prevented 2,810 tons of plastic from reaching the open waters. Adidas plans to make all its products with recycled ocean plastics by 2024. In 2019, the company aimed to produce 11 million pairs of shoes using recycled ocean plastic, more than double the number produced in 2018.

Adidas and Parley for the Oceans have also collaborated on performance football products, releasing jerseys for Adidas x Parley Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich, and Manchester United FC. They also hosted the "Run for the Oceans" event in 2017 and 2018 to raise awareness about ocean conservation and plastic pollution.

Adidas' recycled sportswear

Adidas is making efforts to reduce its environmental impact by using recycled materials in its sportswear. The brand has partnered with environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans to create a range of footwear and clothing made from recycled ocean waste. This includes shoes like the "UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley" and the Futurecraft Loop, which is a 100% recyclable shoe designed to be remade.

Adidas's partnership with Parley for the Oceans began in 2015, and the Adidas x Parley line of footwear has been growing since then. Each shoe in this collection contains the equivalent of 12 plastic bottles' worth of ocean waste, with some material also coming from discarded fishing nets. The trash is collected from coastal areas and sent to an Adidas processing plant, where it is crushed, washed, dehydrated, heated, dried, cooled, and then cut into small resin pellets. These pellets are melted and spun into polyester yarn, which Adidas uses to form the upper parts of shoes and clothing.

The Parley collection from Adidas features items made from at least 75% intercepted marine trash, meeting the same performance and comfort standards as the brand's other shoes. By using recycled polyester, Adidas is able to reduce its use of water and chemicals while also preventing plastic pollution. The brand has stated that its goal is to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024 and expand its use of recycled plastic across its product line.

Adidas's efforts to incorporate recycled materials into its sportswear range beyond just footwear. The brand has also created clothing made with Ocean Plastic yarn, including jerseys and swimsuits. This clothing has been used in various sports leagues, including college football, baseball, the NHL, and the Australian Open. While the use of recycled materials does not eliminate plastic pollution entirely, Adidas is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact and raise awareness about the issue.

Adidas' use of recycled plastic bottles

Adidas has been working to reduce its environmental impact by rethinking the materials it uses. In 2015, Adidas partnered with environmental conservationists Parley for the Oceans to create a line of footwear made from recycled plastic. The Adidas x Parley line has been growing since its launch, with the company planning to make 11 million pairs of shoes using recycled ocean plastic in 2019—more than double the number they made in 2018.

Adidas uses plastic waste that has been intercepted from beaches, coastal communities, and shorelines before it reaches the ocean. This waste is sorted, and the plastic bottles containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are used to create the shoes. The PET bottles are crushed, melted down, and dehydrated to form small plastic flakes. These flakes are then heated, dried, and cooled before being cut into small resin pellets. The pellets are melted and spun into a polyester yarn, which is used to form the upper parts of the shoes. Each item in the Parley collection is made from at least 75% intercepted marine trash, meeting the same performance and comfort standards as Adidas' other shoes.

Adidas' goal is to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester. As of 2024, they have been working to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester wherever possible, with more than 40% of their apparel already using recycled polyester. They are also developing a 100% recyclable shoe called the Futurecraft Loop, which is expected to be available in 2021.

Adidas' efforts to turn plastic bottles and ocean waste into shoes represent a significant step towards a more sustainable future. By using recycled materials, Adidas is helping to reduce plastic pollution, raise awareness, and encourage innovative environmentalism.

Adidas' commitment to using recycled polyester by 2024

Adidas has been taking steps to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability. In 2015, Adidas partnered with the environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans to turn marine pollution into sportswear. The Adidas x Parley line of footwear is made from recycled ocean plastic, with each shoe containing 12 plastic bottles' worth of ocean waste. The brand has also been working with other sustainability-focused partners like Stella McCartney and the U.S. International Space Station.

Adidas's commitment to sustainability is guided by a Three Loop Strategy, which involves creating three categories of sustainable products: Recycled Loop, Circular Loop, and Bionic Loop. The Recycled Loop category includes products made from recycled materials, such as the Primeblue and Primegreen performance fabrics. The Circular Loop category includes products whose lifecycle continues after use, like the Futurecraft Loop running shoe, which can be returned and broken down to create a new pair. The Bionic Loop category represents Adidas's mission to create a future where every Adidas product would have multiple lives and then return to nature.

Adidas has set an ambitious goal to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024. This commitment, first set in 2017, aims to make Adidas a more circular company and contribute to a sustainable future. As of 2023, Adidas has achieved a significant milestone, with 96% of all polyester used in its products being recycled polyester. The brand is on track to achieve its 2024 goal ahead of schedule and continues to expand its focus beyond recycled polyester.

Adidas's efforts to reduce plastic waste go beyond its commitment to recycled polyester. The brand has been incorporating recycled plastic into its products, such as the UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley shoes and swimsuits made from ocean plastic. In 2019, Adidas produced 11 million pairs of shoes with recycled ocean plastic, more than double the number produced in 2018. The partnership with Parley for the Oceans has prevented 2,810 tons of plastic from reaching the open ocean.

Adidas's commitment to using recycled polyester by 2024 is part of its broader sustainability goals. The brand aims to create innovative products and processes that reduce plastic waste and promote circularity. By replacing virgin polyester with recycled alternatives, Adidas is taking a bold step toward a more sustainable future for the fashion industry.

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