Trendy and Sustainable: Adidas Sports Fashion Company

I always loved fashion and clothes! During my transition into a more sustainable and zero waste lifestyle, I stopped purchasing “fast-fashion” items because of the extreme negative impact the clothes have on the environment.

For more information on the issues of the fast-fashion industry, please watch the True Cost on Netflix. Fast fashion can quickly be defined as trendy clothing that is often cheaply manufactured and consequently enabled to remain inexpensive due to unethical practices and lack of environmental consideration. I made the decision to only shop at thrift stores, goodwill, and other second hand stores.

When I couldn't find a pair of sneakers that I liked and came in my size, I decided to widen my search to sustainable stores. I was shocked to hear that Adidas, a trendy sports company that is plastered on every billboard in the world, could be a sustainable, eco-friendly company that cared about the environment.

Here are four different approaches that helps make Adidas a more sustainable company.

Here are four different approaches that help make Adidas a more sustainable company:

Adidas is a famous sports company. Since 1989, they have made strides to make their company more eco-friendly and sustainable. In 2016, Adidas was listed fifth among the ‘Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’ and was recognized as the leader in its industry. It was the third consecutive year that the company has been included in the Top 10 of the Global 100 Index. They are also a plastic-bag free store.

Despite using some new plastic, Adidas continues to try and use organic cotton, recycled nylon, ocean plastic, recycled plastic, and other reusable and natural materials. This new Sustainable Strategy, has become their holistic framework for the production, manufacturing, and purchasing of all current and future items. This has allowed them to look into using recycled nylon for their swim wear, all recycled plastic in the heel of their sneakers, and many other sustainable innovations. Adidas also partners with various environmental, textile, and human rights organizations.

I don't usually support trendy companies that are scattered around fashion blogger's Instagrams. If more sustainable and eco-friendly bloggers talked about Adidas's positive impact --> fashion bloggers might consider to do the same to gain more followers --> then we can inspire other companies to do the same. Unfortunately, when you look on their Instagram and other social media platforms, it doesn’t look like the majority of their influencers, celebrity speakers, and the company stores don’t talk about the environmental practices that Adidas is trying to enforce in the fashion industry.

Next time you are thinking about getting some new sneakers, work-out gear, or even a cool t-shirt, vote with your dollar for sustainable companies!