A unique prototype in the world
At the end of June, the United Nations organized in New York the day "Oceans: climate and life." The opportunity for Adidas, and the Parley for the Oceans association, to present their rather innovative shoe concept. This prototype was designed from the plastic waste from the ocean . And in particular, of threads and filaments of fishing nets, recovered at sea and recycled. But also drift nets used illegally to fish at sea.
A shoe made of plastic waste from the ocean
This sneaker concept is a unique model that was woven from a fishing net found by the Sea Shepherd organization. "It was a fishing net that stood like a wall on the bottom of the sea, likely to kill every fish that passed by." says Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans, reports the Fastcoexist website. Indeed, the NGO led a 110-day expedition, following poaching vessels, off the coast of West Africa.
Like its previous model, Primeknit, Adidas signs here a braided shoe. A way of producing ecologically, as Eric Liedtke, Brand Manager and member of the Board of Directors, explains. "Weaving avoids waste because you don't have to cut out specific patterns like you do for most shoes." The brand with the 3 stripes now plans to create its clothes and shoes in this way. Whether it is nets or waste closer to the coast. For the moment, the pair of sneakers, recognizable thanks to its green braiding, is not commercialized. It should be next year, as Eric Liedtke announced.
A partnership to save the oceans
The partnership between Parley for the Oceans and Adidas was signed on April 20, and aims to put an end to ocean pollution. A collaboration more than appreciated as explained by Cyril Gutsch "We are extremely proud that Adidas is joining us on this mission by harnessing its creative strengths to show that it is possible to turn ocean plastic into something really cool."
Parley for the Oceans is a U.S. ocean advocacy organization. It works with partners on preservation and advocacy projects. Adidas is one of the founding members of this association and supports it, notably with the "Ocean Plastic" program, which aims to stop plastic pollution in the oceans.
