Last year Adidas joined the list of global companies who pledged to reduce plastic use, and this definitely was a great move as it is the second largest sportswear brand and is recognized globally.
The brand has committed to use only recycled plastic by 2024, and their apparel line for the spring and summer of 2019 will contain around 41% recycled polyester. They pledge to eliminate the use of “virgin” or single use plastic, and this includes polyester. Polyester is used in almost everything in sportswear, like from t-shirts to footwear to caps, and makes up like 50 percent of the product’s total composition. The reason it is so popular is that it dries quickly and weighs little and is also sweat resistant, which makes it an idle fabric for these products, so a step like this is a big move towards a better future. They have already sold one million shoes made from plastic collected and recycled from the oceans, which were developed in association with PARLEY.
And not only this, it would also stop using virgin plastic in its offices, retail outlets, warehouses and distribution centers, a move that would save an estimated 40 tons of plastic per year, starting last year.The switch will save an estimated 40 tons of plastic annually, according to the statement.
Plastic use has increased by 20 times in the last 50 years and is projected to double again in the next 20, but only 14 percent of it is collected to be recycled, according to CNN Money. Synthetic materials do not biodegrade and therefore plastic waste remains in oceans and landfills for hundred and hundred of years, releasing harmful chemicals which is a big threat to the wildlife and contaminates water too. And though a step like this is not a complete solution to the damage done by the usage of plastic, but then something is better than nothing.
