By Kevin Majoros
Adidas and Parley for the Oceans teamed up back in 2015 on an environmental collaboration with a long-term sustainability plan. The partnership has evolved over the past four years and the impact is undeniable.
Marine plastic waste is being collected in coastal areas by Parley and their global clean up network. The waste is bailed and sent to Parley supply chain partners where it is shredded and reworked.
The result is a high performance polyester yarn known as Parley Ocean Plastic™. The yarn is used to produce Adidas x Parley products which have grown in quantity and availability since the inception of the partnership.
Setting Goals with the Parley A.I.R. Strategy
First up in the product line collaboration was the introduction of a sneaker that was made entirely of yarn recycled from ocean waste and fishing nets. After selling over one million pairs of Parley sneakers in 2017, they launched goals for the future with their Parley A.I.R. Strategy as follows:
Avoid: In 2017, they saved approximately 70 million plastic bags by switching to paper bags in retails stores. While plastic is still very much part of the products Adidas makes, it is making efforts to eliminate virgin plastic from its supply chain.
Intercept: Instead of sourcing materials that have already polluted the ocean, Parley and Adidas expanded their collection process to include plastic waste found in coastal communities and on beach fronts such as in the Maldives.
Redesign: Innovation is a huge part of footwear and sportswear design, but performance isn’t the only area of improvement Adidas is focusing on. Being mindful of materials and better ways to use them means the brand can change the status quo design narrative that apparel companies follow.
Parley for the Oceans
Parley is the space where creators, thinkers and leaders come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of our oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction.
To succeed, they find ways to synchronize the economic system of humankind with the ecosystem of nature and create opportunities in environmental protection to be fiscally lucrative for pacesetting major companies.
“Nobody can save the oceans alone. Each of us can play a role in the solution. It’s in the hands of the creative industries to reinvent faulty material, products and business models,” says Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans. “The consumer can boost demand for change, but it is up to eco-innovation leaders, like Adidas, to make change a reality.”
Adidas Joins the Fight Against Marine Plastic Pollution
Oceans and sport came together to address the threat of marine plastic pollution by creating Parley Ocean Plastic™. Adidas is one of the few major sporting goods companies that has actively dedicated itself to becoming more sustainable and eco-friendlier over multiple product lines.
The expansion of products now includes a tennis line, swimwear, soccer kits, hockey jerseys, outdoor wear and everyday sportswear. According to industry insiders, the materials used are just as cutting-edge as its polyester counterparts.
“This represents another step on the journey of Adidas and Parley for the Oceans. We have not only managed to make footwear from recycled ocean plastic but have also created the first jersey coming 100% out of the ocean,” says Eric Liedtke, Executive Board Member, Global Brands, Adidas. “But we won’t stop there. Our ultimate ambition is to eliminate virgin plastic from our supply chain.”
Adidas x Parley Grabs the Attention of Elite Athletes
At this year’s Australian Open, tennis players were spotted all around Rod Laver Arena in various items from the Adidas x Parley product line. Danish Grand Slam champion Caroline Wozniacki, who won the Australian Open in 2018, is an Adidas ambassador and has appeared in marketing for the tennis products.
The Adidas x Parley journey has also included the launch of performance products made from Parley’s Ocean Plastic™ in the form of soccer kits for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The aim continues to be driving global awareness and comprehensive solutions to the threat of marine plastic waste.
They also introduced a swim line using regenerated materials that offer the same high quality and performance as the material (Nylon 6) usually found in wider swim apparel. The line represents another effort to reduce the environmental footprint of its products with 76% of Adidas pool products incorporating recycled polyamide.
João de Lucca Targets the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo
Adidas ambassador João de Lucca was one of two swimmers to front the campaign for the release of the Adidas Z.N.E. Hoodie Parley as well as the swimwear line. The use of elite athletes in Adidas x Parley marketing aims to inspire others to choose products with a higher purpose.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, de Lucca was introduced to the ocean at an early age by his parents for safety reasons. He was competing in the pool by age six and won medals in two consecutive FINA Youth World Swimming Championships.
Beginning in 2011, he represented Brazil at the World Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, Pan American Games and the 2016 Olympics in his hometown. He is a 3-time gold medalist from the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
“As an Adidas ambassador, I was asked to participate in the photoshoot for the branding of some of the new products including the swimwear,” says de Lucca. “Along with the hoodie and pants, I liked the swim brief – the recycled fabric is smooth and thin.”
During his international swimming career, de Lucca also made a splash as a University of Louisville swimmer winning an NCAA Division I title in the 200-freestyle.
Post-college he has remained in Louisville with his wife Carol and is training with a short term goal of making the Brazilian team for the 2019 World Championships in South Korea and the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru.
His professional training group in Louisville includes American Olympian Kelsi Dahlia and Russian Olympian Grigoriy Tarasevich. The qualifying trials for the Brazilian team are later this month on April 16.
“I am training with younger swimmers, working my butt off and enjoying it a lot. Everybody helps each other to achieve their goals,” de Lucca says.
The goal of reducing marine plastic waste is a shared one between Adidas, Parley and de Lucca. Growing up surfing off the coast of Rio raised his awareness in regard to ocean pollution.
“I really identified with the thought process behind the Adidas x Parley collaboration,” says de Lucca. “It is amazing what they are doing to find purpose for marine trash.”
You can visit Parley for the Oceans here.
Adidas Parley is here.
João de Lucca on Instagram.
Kevin Majoros shares stories on sports, ocean adventuring and conservation. He is based in Baltimore/Washington and travels the world as a competitive swimmer.