Recently, German sporting goods giant adidas announced that it plans to stop using new plastics by 2024 and only use recycled plastics as raw materials to improve the environmental protection and sustainability of its supply chain. adidas 2019 spring and summer clothing series will have 41 % of the raw materials for production are recycled plastics.
In addition, adidas also said it will stop using new plastics in the construction of its offices, retail stores, warehouses and distribution centers. This will help the brand save about 40 tons of plastic per year from 2018.
Polyester fibers in plastics are often used to produce casual sports t-shirts, sports bras and sports shoes because of their light weight and quick-drying characteristics. Eric Liedtke, global brand leader of adidas, said: 'Our goal is to The use of new polyester fibers was completely discontinued by 2024. Currently, 50% of the 9.2 million items sold by adidas use this material as a raw material for production, so it will take a while to completely deactivate.
Another reason that affects adidas' progress in abandoning new plastics is that recycled plastics cost 10% to 20% more than new plastics. Eric Liedtke says: 'We must ensure that recycled plastics are used as an alternative to controlling the cost. We can The cost of some (recycled plastics) is shared every year for six years, but it is not possible to quickly absorb these additional costs within one year.
But industry experts believe that as more and more companies turn to renewable materials and suppliers increase their ability to produce recycled materials in large quantities, the price gap between recycled plastics and new plastics will disappear in the next few years.
Adidas has been experimenting with recycled plastics for many years. In 2012, the London Olympics volunteer uniforms sponsored by adidas were made from recycled plastic water bottles.
In 2016, adidas partnered with the non-profit organization Parley for the Oceans to develop marine materials and develop the first adidas Ultraboost Uncaged Parley, which is 179.95 euros (see "Glory" report: Adidas environmental protection new measures : Using marine garbage to make sportswear. Last year, adidas sold 1 million pairs of this series of shoes. This year's goal is to sell 5 million pairs. In 2019, the goal is to sell 11 million pairs, but only for the year. 3% of total output.
Orsola de Castro, co-founder and creative director of Fashionrevolution.org, a non-sustainable fashion industry, said: 'There are still some shortcomings in garments made from recycled plastics. There are many problems with any polyester fabric in terms of care. For example, microfiber shedding can occur, which is one of the biggest causes of marine plastic pollution. Ideally, if you (consumers) do not need to make products made from recycled polyester, try not to buy them to avoid waste.
A 2016 World Economic Forum paper pointed out that at least 8 million tons of plastics enter the ocean each year; by 2050, there may be more plastics in the ocean than fish.
Over the past 50 years, the global use of plastics has increased 20-fold and is expected to double again in the next 20 years. This material is cheap and versatile, but governments and consumers are increasingly aware of its enormous environmental hazards. Worldwide, only 14% of plastics can be recycled. In contrast, the recycling rate of other materials is much higher than plastics, such as: paper recycling rate of 58%, steel recycling rate is high 90%.