Adidas reveals world's first 'fully recyclable' trainer
Sportswear giant Adidas has developed what it calls the world's first "100 per cent recyclable performance running shoe".
Produced under the Futurecraft.Loop brand, all components of the shoe – from the sole and laces to the traditionally woven upper – are made entirely from one single material, called Thermoplastic Polyeutherane (TPU).
Once the shoes come to the end of their "first" life, they can be returned to Adidas where they are washed, ground to pellets and melted into material for components for a new pair of shoes, with zero waste and nothing thrown away.
This is in contrast with the traditional manufacturing methods of sports footwear, which typically include complex material mixes and component glueing, resulting in a shoe which can only be downcycled.
“We set out to create a new type of product that we can take back, grind up and reapply into new Adidas product," said Tanyaradzwa Sahanga, technology and innovation manager at Adidas.
"We knew this was a far-reaching vision in every way; technically and behaviourally.
"There were times when it didn’t seem like we could get over some of the technical hurdles - now we’ve made the first leap, the playing field has changed.
"We cannot create a circular future on our own, we are going to need each other. We’re excited to see this first step come to life as part of the beta launch.”
The first generation of Futurecraft.Loop shoe is now being rolled out as part of a global beta programme across the world’s major cities.
Adidas has recruited 200 testers who will run, return the shoes and share feedback on their experience, ahead of the second-generation product.
The insights will be used to shape the roadmap for the wider consumer release targeted for 2021.
The Futurecraft.Loop project is aimed at tackling the problem of plastic waste, enabling a “closed loop” or circular manufacturing model, where the raw materials can be repurposed again and again.
It is estimated that more than 45 million pairs of running shoes are sold each year in the US alone – with most of them ending up in landfills.
Adidas Futurecraft.LoopAdidas and Stella McCartney launch vegan Stan Smiths
Adidas launches holistic women's fitness app
Adidas unveils design for fitness-focused World of Sports campus
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Creating the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York involved meticulous planning. Its director Alice Greenwald tells us more