3D printing technology has been making waves with its integration to different industries, especially to fashion. With creativity oozing from this industry, a famous brand decided to tackle the global issue of waste management. The increasing threat of climate change has been very alarming; with the oceans full of rubbish, the forests abruptly disappearing and the wildlife nearly going extinct.
Taking in the responsibility of solving these issues can be daunting for a normal individual. However, environmental organizations such as Parley for the Oceans are exerting efforts for their advocacy to be heard. Of course, what better way to spread their cause than to tap a major company like Adidas to collaborate with.
Parley for the Oceans founder, Cyrill Gutsch says, "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 materials, products, and business models. The consumer can boost the demand for change. But it's up to eco innovation leaders, like Adidas, to make change a reality," Esquire reports.
Adidas accepted the challenge and partnered with Parley for the Oceans to take on the task of creating and designing sneakers made out of Parley Ocean Plastic, which are plastics taken out of the ocean by the team. The sneakers, named Ultra Boost Uncaged Parley, is dropping this mid November with a limited availability of 7,000 pairs and would cost $220 each at the Adidas website. Adding, one million pairs of Ultra Boost will be created by the last quarter of 2017. This move may not solve the entirety of the world's environmental issue, but this could start a movement.
According to 3DPrint.com, Adidas and Parley developed Ultra Boost from 11 plastic bottles; 95% of plastic from the ocean around Maldives consists the upper portion of the shoes and 5 percent is recycled polyester. The sneakers is weaved all throughout the laces, heel caps, webbing, lining and sock liner.
Ultra Boost was initially designed using 3D printing technology, however, due to mass production Adidas switched to a different technology to make the ends meet. On top of that, the company is also reportedly making soccer kits for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid from the recycled ocean waste.
