Jun 16, 2016 | By Alec
World Oceans Day 2016 was held last week, a global annual celebration of the important role played by the world’s oceans. But as most oceans of the world are filling up with plastic and other polluting human waste, it is inevitably also a moment for raising awareness for the oceans’ plight. Sportswear giant adidas and plastic waste pioneers Parley for the Oceans have therefore taken the opportunity to set up a special competition. Providing 50 pairs of 3D printed Ocean Plastic sneakers made from ocean waste, these remarkable shoes can be won by submitting a video of your commitment to keeping the oceans clean.
If these remarkable shoes look familiar, that’s because adidas actually showcased several pairs back in 2015, at the Parley Talks titled 'Oceans. Climate. Life.’ in New York. Tired of playing the climate action waiting-game, the company collaborated with Parley for the Oceans to combine salvaged toxic ocean waste with 3D printing and adidas’s 3D printed Futurecraft 3D midsole. “World leaders forging an agreement is wonderful, but we shouldn’t need to be told to do the right thing. The industry can't afford to wait for directions any longer,” adidas Group Executive Board member Eric Liedtke said at the time. “The 3D printed Ocean Plastic shoe midsole stands for how we can set new industry standards if we start questioning the reason to be of what we create. We want to bring everyone from the industry to the table and create sustainable solutions for big global problems.”
All of the 50 Ocean Plastic shoes are made from discarded plastics recovered from the Indian Ocean surrounding the Maldives, as well as from illegal deep-sea gillnets retrieved by Parley for the Oceans’partner Sea Shepherd. The materials were turned into technical yarn fibers, which can be spun into products. The 3D printed midsole is made from recycled polyester. adidas’ Tailored Fiber Technology, which enables custom footwear manufacturing and is especially used for athletes, was used for all pairs.
All these gorgeous shoes perfectly demonstrate that both the textile and footwear industries can and must re-think their manufacturing processes. According to football icon and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane, who joined the initiative, the industry can help prevent ocean plastic pollution. “This is an inspiring partnership between adidas and Parley. What adidas and Parley are doing, by turning waste into a running shoe, shows that even waste that is harming the planet can be used to create something special,” he said.
These shoes are obviously unprecedented, but could become a trendsetter. Adidas has already revealed plans to incorporate a portion of Parley's own brand of ocean plastic into a line of footwear later this year. But if you can’t wait for that, you can also pledge your support to Parley's Ocean Plastic Program and win a limited edition pair of Ocean Plastic sneakers, one of the fifty pairs currently made.
These cannot be bought, but can only be won through an exclusive Instagram contest that runs until 31 July 2016. To win a pair, you have to make a video pledging your commitment to keep the oceans clean, and tag it with #ParleyAIR. As Eric Liedtke revealed, they can’t wait to hear stories of people that are as dedicated to the oceans as they are. “It's a shoe for game changers. We can't wait to hear the stories of those who stand up, suggest creative solutions, take action and want to join us on our journey to clean up the oceans,” he said. For more on the competition’s rules, check out the adidas website.
Adidas' 3D printed midsole.
Parley for the Oceans is obviously very happy with the contest, and see it as an opportunity to start replacing common plastic with salvaged marine debris. “So much work has happened behind the scenes since we launched our partnership with adidas. We are creating new standards, new materials and technologies that are so different to those the sporting goods industry is used to,” Cyrill Gutsch, Founder of Parley for the Oceans, said. “It is an ongoing challenge, but we achieved the first step. Now we can replace new plastic with recycled marine plastic debris: Parley Ocean Plastic®. We can create footwear and apparel products with it and we are ready to scale it up.”
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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