Sofia Martinez
Adidas has partnered with Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organization and global collaboration network, to source recycled plastic waste from beaches and coastal areas such as the Maldives. This waste is then processed and turned into yarn, which becomes a key component of the upper material of Adidas footwear and apparel. In addition to Parley for the Oceans, Adidas is also working with other partners to source recycled polymers for plastic products, such as the foam in shoes, as part of its plan to end plastic waste by 2030.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Environmental organization | Parley for the Oceans |
| Global collaboration network | Parley |
| Beach cleanup partner | Parley |
| Global innovation platform | Fashion for Good |
| Environmental impact donation | €1.5 million |
| Recycled plastic shoes supplier | Not mentioned |
| Recycled plastic sportswear supplier | Not mentioned |
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What You'll Learn
Adidas' partnership with Parley for the Oceans
Adidas has partnered with Parley for the Oceans to address environmental threats to the oceans through plastic pollution. The collaboration, Adidas Parley, is a collection of clothing and footwear produced with recycled plastic to mitigate the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean.
The partnership was first announced on Earth Day in 2015, with the unveiling of 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.
Since the first collection launched in 2015, Adidas Parley products have been produced with recycled plastic. Adidas recreated three editions of their UltraBoost shoe and a new version of their Adidas Originals shoe. The UltraBoost Uncaged Parley was sold for $220 a unit. Adidas also released an updated version of a 1990s shoe made with yarns made from waste plastic. The UltraBoost shoes used materials from 11 recycled ocean-bound plastic bottles per pair in the shoe laces, heel linings, and sock liner covers.
In addition to footwear, Adidas has worked with Parley to create mass-produced performance football products. For the 2015 to 2018 seasons, Adidas released a limited amount of Parley jerseys for select Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs. Adidas also created Parley swimwear, using plastic recycled into the technical yarn fibre Econyl, a branded yarn composed of at least 50% salvaged fishing nets and post-consumer carpets, which offers the same properties as the regular nylon used to make swimwear.
Through its partnership with Parley, Adidas has also taken steps to phase out single-use plastics and plastic microbeads in its own operations and supply chain. Adidas and Parley held the "Run for the Oceans" event in 2017 and 2018 to raise awareness of their products and ocean conservation.
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Adidas' recycled sportswear
Adidas has been taking steps to reduce plastic waste and increase sustainability. The company has set itself the goal of replacing all virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024. Currently, more than 40% of Adidas apparel uses recycled polyester. Adidas has also created the world's lowest-carbon-footprint running shoe, with 63% less emissions.
Adidas has partnered with Parley for the Oceans to turn marine pollution, such as plastic bottles, into sportswear and shoes. The waste is sorted, and the plastic is sent to an Adidas processing plant. The plastic is then crushed, washed, dehydrated, heated, dried, cooled, and 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. Each item in the Parley collection is made from at least 75% intercepted marine trash.
Adidas is also developing a 100% recyclable shoe called the Futurecraft Loop, which is made to be remade. The shoe is welded together with heat, not glue, so it can be easily shredded and turned into new material for another shoe. Adidas is also working to find recycled polymers for the plastic in other products, such as the foam in shoes. The company is also encouraging customers to wash their polyester clothing less often, use cold water, and fully fill the machine each time to reduce microfiber pollution.
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Adidas' recyclable shoe, Futurecraft Loop
Adidas has been working towards ending plastic waste in its products by 2030. As part of this initiative, the company has been replacing virgin materials with recycled alternatives, such as recycled polyester. Adidas has also been designing products that can be remade and recycled.
The Adidas Futurecraft Loop is a fully recyclable shoe that was unveiled in 2019. The shoe is made from a single material and welded together with heat, eliminating the need for glue, which is a common contaminant in plastic recycling. The shoe's midsole is made from Boost, a cushioning created by the chemical firm BASF, while the outsole is tough yet flexible. The laces resemble cloth, and the insole has a knit pattern on top and a pressed plastic pellet underside. The shoe is currently in its beta phase, with Adidas giving out 200 pairs to "leading creators" worldwide to gather feedback.
The Futurecraft Loop is part of Adidas's Infinite Play initiative, which allows consumers to trade in their old Adidas gear to be recycled into new products. This closed-loop manufacturing system aims to create a "zero-waste" ecosystem where raw materials can be repurposed indefinitely, ensuring that no part of the shoes ends up in landfills or oceans.
Adidas has also partnered with Parley for the Oceans to repurpose ocean plastic into new products. The partnership has resulted in shoes made with Parley Ocean Plastic, with the upper containing at least 50% Parley Ocean Plastic collected from remote islands, beaches, coastal communities, and shorelines.
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Adidas' switch to recycled polyester
Adidas is making significant strides towards sustainability by switching to recycled polyester and reducing plastic waste in its products and processes. The company has set an ambitious goal to end plastic waste within the next decade and is taking concrete steps to achieve this goal.
Polyester is a widely used material in the fashion industry due to its durability, versatility, and lightweight properties. However, virgin polyester is not sustainable. Recognizing its role as a major contributor to plastic pollution, Adidas is committed to using recycled polyester wherever possible by 2024. This commitment extends beyond polyester, as the company aims to have 90% of its products contain sustainable materials by 2025.
Adidas has already made impressive progress in incorporating recycled polyester into its products. They have partnered with environmental organizations like Parley for the Oceans to intercept plastic waste on beaches and coastal areas before it reaches the ocean. This waste is then transformed into a yarn that becomes a key component in the upper material of Adidas footwear and apparel. The company's innovative footwear, the Futurecraft Loop, is designed to be fully recyclable and easily shredded to create new material for another shoe.
In addition to using recycled materials, Adidas is also encouraging customers to reduce their environmental impact. They suggest that customers wash their polyester clothing less often, use cold water, and fully fill the washing machine to prevent plastic microfibers from ending up in the ocean. Adidas is also working to create demand for recycled polymers in other products, such as the foam in shoes, to ensure that all plastic in their supply chain is addressed.
Adidas's efforts to switch to recycled polyester and reduce plastic waste are commendable. By setting ambitious goals, partnering with environmental organizations, and engaging consumers, the company is leading the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future. Their initiatives demonstrate that self-care and caring for the planet can go hand in hand.
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Adidas' removal of plastic shopping bags
Adidas has been taking several steps to reduce plastic waste, including removing plastic shopping bags from its retail stores. In 2016, Adidas announced its plan to remove plastic shopping bags from its stores worldwide, switching to paper bags. The company aimed to eliminate approximately 70 million plastic shopping bags annually across more than 14,000 retail stores globally. This initiative was part of Adidas's broader effort to increase the use of sustainable materials in its production, products, and stores. The company also trained its staff to educate consumers about the importance of reducing plastic bag consumption.
Adidas's partnership with Parley for the Oceans, which began in 2015, has been instrumental in its efforts to address plastic pollution. Together, they have developed footwear and apparel made with Parley Ocean Plastic, intercepted from remote islands, beaches, coastal communities, and shorelines. In 2017, Adidas produced shoes made with Parley Ocean Plastic and launched the Adidas x Parley Run for the Oceans, a global movement to raise awareness about the state of the oceans.
In addition to removing plastic shopping bags and partnering with Parley for the Oceans, Adidas has implemented several other initiatives to reduce its plastic waste. The company has committed to using recycled materials, such as recycled polyester, and designing fully recyclable products. By 2024, Adidas aims to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester wherever possible. They are also working on finding recycled polymers for plastic in other products, such as the foam in shoes.
Adidas has set ambitious goals for reducing plastic waste in its products by 2030. The company recognizes its role as a major contributor to plastic pollution and is taking comprehensive action to address this issue. Their short-term goals include using recycled materials and designing fully recyclable products, while their long-term goal is to transition to biodegradable materials. Adidas is committed to reducing its environmental impact and promoting sustainability through these initiatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Adidas sources plastic waste from Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organisation and global collaboration network.
Parley collects trash from coastal areas such as the beaches of the Maldives.
Adidas melts small plastic pellets, created from the waste, to create a filament, which is spun into what they call Ocean Plastic, a form of polyester yarn.
Adidas's goal is to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester by 2024.
Adidas is also working to improve its environmental performance during the manufacturing of its products. This includes the use of sustainable materials, the reduction of CO2 emissions and waste prevention.
