The fashion industry has been criticized in recent years for its environmental impact. Not only does the industry have a large carbon footprint, many of the materials it uses are damaging to ocean environments. Sustainability has become a major concern for conscious consumers, and it has had a ripple effect on brands. Adidas has already made efforts to reduce its environmental impact by using recycled PET plastic in its products, and has now taken another step forward by launching its first fully recyclable shoe.

The shoe was launched as part of the recent Adidas Ultraboost release which was scheduled to coincide with Earth Week and is called Made to be Remade. The idea behind the sneaker is that it is part of a circular economy. It is made with materials and technology that allow the shoes to be returned to Adidas at the end of their life, after which they will be made into a new pair of shoes or product, hence the nickname Made to be Remade. .

The way the shoes are sent back to Adidas is actually quite nifty – on the tongue of each pair there is a QR code. When scanned with a smartphone, it initiates a digital experience where the returns process can be viewed and managed.

Adidas is touting these shoes as part of its ongoing efforts to end plastic waste and reduce plastic pollution in the oceans. He also has an ongoing collaboration with Parley where he uses reclaimed ocean plastic in the design of the shoes.

While Adidas is to be given some respect for its efforts to bring a level of accountability to the manufacture of its shoes, we would like to see that same approach applied to all of its products. Rather than just allowing one type of shoe to be remade as part of a circular economy, it would be revolutionary if all of his shoes offered the same experience. Hopefully this is the way of the future and Adidas leads the charge.

Image courtesy of Adidas