Sneakers Made from Recycled Ocean Plastic – Jump!

Thanks to Adidas, now everyone has the chance to walk on water debris. The German apparel manufacturer has partnered with Parley, the impassioned ocean conservationists, to produce sneakers made from repurposed plastic refuse gathered on the high seas.

Launched in May, Adidas' three new versions of its popular – and perennially cool – UltraBoost kicks use thread made from recycled ocean plastic in their laces, heel lining, sock-liner cover and heel webbing.

The co says each pair incorporates about eleven plastic bottles, without any loss of performance, comfort or style, "in a fresh blue colorway inspired by the shades of the ocean."

“As a global brand we have a responsibility to help change the world for the better," said Mathias Amm, director at adidas Running. "These designs reflect our support for a great cause."

This isn't the first move on sustainability for either company. Parley has worked with G-Star RAW on collections of denimwear made from PET materials captured from the oceans.

Adidas, which last year swapped plastic bags for paper in all its stores – and thereby eliminated the use of some 70 million plastic totes – has announced its intention to manufacture only with sustainable cotton by the end of 2018.

“We not only see sustainability as an opportunity to get a competitive advantage," said Kasper Rorsted, Adidas' CEO. "We see it as an obligation for us as a global company to do business in a responsible and sustainable way.”

Adidas' Ultraboost, Ultraboost X and Ultraboost Uncaged generally retail from $160 - $200.

--By Ed Eisman, freelance writer