adidas creates kits with recycled ocean plastic

adidas has unveiled environmentally friendly football shirts for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as part of its partnership with ocean conservation group Parley.

The new home tops are created from up-cycled marine plastic pollution intercepted by Parley clean-up operations in coastal areas of the Maldives. The shirts feature the club logo, three stripes and sponsors’ logos in the same colour as the kit.

The design also features a back-neck tape with the message “For the oceans” and an adidas and Parley loop label with an integrated NFC chip to offer fans further information on the partnership.

As a founding member, adidas supports Parley for the Oceans in its education and communication programmes, as well as its comprehensive Ocean Plastic Programme that intends to end plastic pollution of the oceans though the three pillars of the Parley A.I.R. Strategy: Avoid, Intercept and Redesign. Additionally, adidas and Parley collaborate to turn ocean waste into apparel by converting up-cycled marine plastic debris into technical yarn fibres.

Bayern Munich midfielder, Xabi Alonso said: “It’s an honour to go on this journey with adidas and to have the opportunity to wear the adidas x Parley kit on-pitch for the first time. With every second breath we take coming from our oceans, it’s really important that we do what we can do safeguard them. Wearing a kit that is made from recyclable ocean waste is something I’m very happy about as it’s a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about the need to protect and preserve our oceans. I know this is the start of something very special.”

Real Madrid defender, Marcelo, said: “The Ocean is a place I hold close to my heart after growing up in Rio de Janeiro and I have fond memories of playing on the beach when I was a kid. It’s amazing to be part of this project and to know that the club I love is making a difference in helping to keep the oceans clean.”