Adidas: A Journey Towards Sustainability

Post contains products gifted by adidas

I have worn adidas clothing and trainers since I was a teenager. Growing up, owning a pair of adidas poppers was the height of fashion. One of my favourite outfits had to be a red hoodie and matching red bowling bag. It was a look and I’m very disappointed I don’t have a photo to show you.

As I’ve moved towards making more sustainable choices when it comes to where I shop, I’ve found I’ve shopped less. However, the one thing that I have been buying is active wear. Not only do I live in active wear from a comfort point of view, but I love running. Being able to shop from a brand I love, that looks great, is high performance, and most importantly, is making moves towards sustainability, ticks all of my boxes.

Adidas and Sustainability

When it comes to shopping the first thing I do before buying from a brand is check their sustainability rating on the Good on You website. The site states that adidas has a ‘Good’ rating overall which is really positive.

Adidas has good policies to audit suppliers and uses eco-friendly materials

From speaking with friends who also shop at adidas, few seem to be aware that the brand makes many of it’s products from recycled materials. They actually have an ambitious goal when it comes to sustainability. From 2024 their aim is to only use recycled plastic, and by 2050 all production will be climate-neutral. The brand’s plan centres around a “three-loop strategy” to guarantee sustainability:

• Recycled Loop – replace new plastic with recycled plastic
• Circular Loop – products that can be directly recycled after use
• Regenerative Loop – products made from natural materials that can be returned to nature at the end of its life

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adidas Partnership with Parley

Back in 2015 adidas partnered with Parley to collaborate and explore ways that could lead towards a plastic free ocean. Parley Ocean Plastic® is produced from upcycled marine plastic waste. Once the plastic has been collected it is sent to Parley supply chain partners where it is shredded and then made into high-performance polyester yarn. This is the Parley Ocean Plastic® that creates the adidas x Parley sportswear.

It has been said that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish. Because plastic does not bio-degrade like other plastics, it just breaks apart into smaller pieces, it is easily mistaken for food. This means that as sea life is consuming this plastic, we are too. While the first step is obviously recycling, we need to be thinking long term of a solution to do away with plastic completely.

Promoting a sustainable lifestyle among customers

Life’s a Catwalk is all about trying to make more sustainable choices so I love that adidas is actively promoting a sustainable lifestyle among their customers. There is such a wide range of active wear that really promotes sustainable fashion. Recycled fabrics are used wherever possible, with many products being made from recycled polyester. Their trainers have been engineered to be made from as few materials as possible. This has the added performance benefit of making them super lightweight.

My clothing

The brand recently sent me a gift card to use on their website. While I was going through the website I searched for sustainability and was shocked at the sheer volume of pieces that I was presented with.

The first thing I chose was trainers and I picked the Ultraboost DNA 5.0 trainers because I was aware of their high-performance reputation. The trainers are actually made from Primeblue, a high-performance recycled material made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic. I’m actually a bit of a nightmare when it comes to trainers, or any flat shoes for that matter. I don’t know what is wrong with my heels but they must be super sensitive. I’m guaranteed to get blisters and it takes me a very long time to wear shoes in. I don’t how but these are the first trainers that I have been able to wear straight away and haven’t got even a hint of a blister. The backs of the Ultraboost are so soft and they move as your foot flexes. I can honestly say that these are the best trainers I have EVER owned.

Next up was the Don’t Rest Alphaskin Bra which is made with Primegreen, a series of high-performance recycled materials. The bra has been designed for medium-impact sports, such as: gym workouts, volleyball, tennis, dance and cycling. It is made from water-absorbent materials designed to wick moisture away from your body. The Adidas website actually suggested that I sized up in all of these items and while I am glad I went up half a size in the trainers and a size in the leggings, I don’t think I needed to do that with the bra. I actually would have preferred a little more compression.

Finally I chose the Marimekko Aeroknit 7/8 Tights which has been created in collaboration with Finnish designer Marimekko. The leggings are made with Primegreen and also with adidas Aeroknit to manage moisture so you stay dry. The high-rise waist and compression fit hug your body and are incredibly flattering. They are seamless which means they are also super comfortable. I am very impressed with the quality, these leggings are the perfect thickness.

I love vibrant clothing and it’s important to me that my outfits look good, so I have to say this is the most ‘me’ active wear outfit that I own.