After four years of trials, designing and creating, Adidas confirmed that it is making a range of trainers that are made entirely from recycled ocean plastic, and it is a dream come true for environmentalists.
Adidas has worked along environmental conservationists Parley for the oceans; to help create this unique range of trainers. The plastic use are collected from the beaches before even reaching the sea, thus halting further pollution.
Adidas has increased the production of those sneakers in 2019. “With Adidas products made from recycled plastic, we offer our consumers real added value beyond the look, functionality, and quality of the product, because every shoe is a small contribution to the preservation of our oceans,” said Eric Liedtke, Adidas Executive Board Member.
“After one million pairs of shoes produced in 2017, five million in 2018, we plan to produce eleven million pairs of shoes containing recycled ocean plastic in 2019.”
On the other hand, Adidas is looking at its production methods, and are aiming to use only sustainable materials in manufacturing. Also, the company has cut their CO2 emissions drastically, in addition to implementing waste prevention methods company-wide.
Not only this, but they have also donated around $1.7 million to sustainable fashion platform ‘Fashion for Good‘; In order to offset the environmental impact of the plastic they do use.
Adidas made sure that the trainers are designed to be both stylish and comfortable, and to do so, they partnered with designer Stella McCartney for some of the designs.
As this partnership between Adidas and Parley continues to grow, and the line of recycled products extend to include more items, a pressure is being imposed on other companies. Seeing how they should try and keep up; by starting to look at their own environmental impact.
Recycled items now include a range of shirts, such as their LA Galaxy jerseys, that are made of recycled plastic.
We definitely hope to see other companies following their steps, or perhaps do something similar that can contribute in saving our oceans and seas, and eventually help create a safer environment.