Adidas Releases First Mass-Produced Ocean Plastic Shoe

adidas has released the UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley running shoe - the first mass-produced footwear created using plastic waste retrieved by clean-up operations in the Maldives (95 percent) and recycled polyester (five percent). Each pair reuses eleven plastic bottles. 

The shoes laces, heel cap base material, heel webbing, heel lining and the sock-liner cover are also made with recycled materials. 

Its design is inspired by ocean waves, to reflect the shoe’s unique story and adidas and environmental group Parley for the Oceans’ commitment to end the cycle of pollution in the oceans. 

UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley is created using new technologies specifically engineered to up-cycle marine plastic debris into technical yarn fibres. 

7,000 pairs are available. adidas’ 2017 target will mean 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. 

Eric Liedtke, adidas Group Executive Board member responsible for Global Brands, said:
“This represents another step on the journey of adidas and Parley for the Oceans. But we won’t stop there. We’re now committed to scaling those initiatives. We will make one million pairs of shoes using Parley Ocean Plastic in 2017 – and our ultimate ambition is to eliminate virgin plastic from our supply chain.”

“Nobody can save the oceans alone,” said Cyrill Gutsch, Founder, Parley for the Oceans.
 “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.”
 
adidas and Parley for the Oceans have also unveiled football jerseys for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid made from recycled ocean plastic.