The release of UltraBOOST Uncaged adidas x Parley Shoes, the first mass-produced performance shoes made from upcycled marine plastic waste, marked a new milestone in the collaboration between adidas and environmental organization Parley for the Oceans.
According to adidas Group, the design of UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley is inspired by ocean waves and reflects adidas’ and Parley’s commitment to end the cycle of pollution in the oceans.
To upcycle plastic waste, which was retrieved by Parley coastal interception and clean-up operations in the Maldives, into technical yarn fibers, the company used new technologies specifically designed for this purpose.
In addition to Parley Ocean PlasticTM, UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley’s Primeknit upper also contains 5% of recycled polyester. Such details as shoe laces, heel cap base material, heel webbing, heel lining and the sock-liner cover are also created from recycled materials.
Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans, said, “Nobody can save the oceans alone. Each of us can play a role in the solution. It’s in the hands of the creative industries to reinvent faulty materials, products, and business models. The consumer can boost the demand for change. But it’s up to eco innovation leaders, like adidas, to make change a reality. With this shoe we demonstrate what’s possible. It’s even more than a shoe. It’s a flag, an invitation to join our movement.”
adidas announced that its revolutionary footwear will be available in adidas stores since mid-November. Currently, there are nearly 7000 pairs of shoes in stock. However, as the company revealed in its press release, it will create 1 million pairs of shoes using Parley Ocean Plastic by the end of 2017.
adidas set itself a goal to eliminate virgin plastic from its supply chain and increase the use of more sustainable materials in its production.
As adidas explained further, its 2017 target means that at least eleven million bottles retrieved from coastal areas by the Parley Global Clean-up Network and Remote Island Interception operations will be recycled and repurposed into elite performance sportswear.
by Natalie Myhalnytska
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