What the F! Adidas Uses Ocean Plastic
- Stine Marie
- Apr 5, 2017
- 2 min read
The oceans are filled with plastic, that is coming from human beings, from our disposable water bottles our plastic grocery bags and this is endangering wildlife and the ecosystem.
In the Pacific Ocean, there is a mass of plastic debris larger than the size of Texas floating around, this is being referred to as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch".
Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a report about the presence of microfibers in the Earth’s oceans. The report disclosed that tiny plastic particles from consumer products, including synthetic clothing, could contribute up to 30 percent of the global ocean pollution, which the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a large reminder of. These microplastics are dangerous because they have a long-term effect on oceans and human health.
The yearly consumption of fibre for apparel is approximately 69.7 million tons globally, which is around 11.0 kg per capita. Synthetic fibres represent 60.1 % of this consumption.
Washing synthetic textiles, in industrial laundries and households creates primary microplastics through abrasion and shedding of fibres. Fibres are then discharged in sewage water and this can potentially end up in the ocean-These fibres are typically synthetic fibers made of polyester, polyethylene, acrylic or elastane
In order to prevent and minimize the amount of plastic debris in our oceans, we need to clean up the damage that is already done, but we also need to recycle more and innovate product design, and this is exactly what Adidas has done.
Adidas has partnered with the non-profit organization, Parley for the Oceans to reduce the plastic waste in our oceans.
Adidas developed the “UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley" made o 95% plastic recovered from the ocean.
They aim to produce 1 million pairs of the sneakers in 2017 from more than 11 million plastic bottles. Eventually, Adidas strives to eliminate virgin plastic from its supply chain altogether and hopes to expand its plastic cultivation to much more of its product line.
If more companies would follow in Adidas' recycled footsteps, we would slowly be cleaning up our mess in the oceans. It is pertinent to keep working towards making supply chains become circular in order to prevent more ocean pollution.
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