Adidas Announces the Use of Ocean Plastic Wastes in Manufacturing their Products for 2020
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Adidas manufactures more than 400 million pairs of footwear annually. This total number of yearly production requires a significant number of resources. However, creating new types of materials is not healthy for the environment. Being aware of the worsening situation of marine pollution, Adidas had thought of a way to maintain their normal production levels and still help save the environment. 

The sportswear giant announced that it will be using ocean waste in making its products. 

Adidas got its inspiration from the success of the shoes created with the Parley for the Oceans initiative. Adidas had announced that it will create footwear from recycled polyester and ocean plastic trash.  

Adidas' Dedication to Lead Change

Adidas plans to continue the creation of Parley-branded footwear from marine plastic wastes this year. There is a high chance that the sportswear firm will be launching its 'Primeblue' fabric made from Parley marine trash substances. This fabric will be used in some of its existing lines such as the 'Ultraboost Shoes.'

An article from the Latin Times stated that this environmentally-helpful decision may lead to the company spending a few amounts of money. However, Adidas disregards the cost of the project with its focus on influencing change to fellow companies. 

Recycled polyester is 10 percent more costly than the virgin version of the material. However, Adidas will be using the material in a way that its customers can still afford the product. Currently, Adidas is coming up with ways to bring down the price of the product. 

According to the Vice President of Brand Strategy of Adidas James Carnes, it is the right time to start the change and lead change for the company. 

There were wishes for the brand to use half of the recycled polyester in 2020 and 100% by 2024.

Aside from the ocean waste materials initiative of Adidas, it will also pilot a new strategy to used recycled materials more. It will be using 100% polyester materials for labeling its products. Later in the year, the company plans to use sources such as 'Primegreen' in making its products. 

Last year, Adidas dedicated immense efforts to make 46 percent of its clothing line made from recycled polyester material. Its footwear products were made with 28 percent of the same recycled material.

Facts that Led the Change

The idea to shift from a sustainable material for its multiple product lines was the significant impact of products made in the fashion industry to the environment. 

The fashion industry's products contribute to 10 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful environmental effects in the world. 

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, there are only less than one percent of the total materials used for making clothes are recycled. This results in a total loss exceeding $100 billion worth of raw materials every year. Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an organization that aims to promote effective waste management.

In an article from Business Insider, some experts forecast that in 30 years, the total number of plastic wastes in the world's oceans will be more than the total number of fishes in the world. In one research study, it predicts that 90 percent of the total seabirds in the world have consumed a certain type of plastic waste in the ocean. All of these waste materials do not only pose threats to marine wildlife, but also humans.