Advocating conscious consumption
24/07/2015
Moved to Wordpress
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12/07/2015
Adidas x Parley - Concept shoes from recycled ocean plastic waste
Last week Adidas and Parley revealed the first concept from their previously announced partnership - a shoe made from recycled plastic waste and sustainable materials.
(Source: http://www.dezeen.com/2015/07/08/adidas-parley-sports-shoe-alexander-taylor-recycled-ocean-plastic/, 12.07.2015)
With an upper made from plastic waste recovered from the oceans and confiscated illegal fishing nets, the shoe makes an impressive statement of intent for the direction of the partnership. Combining sustainable and innovative materials with clean and cool design.
(Source: http://www.dezeen.com/2015/07/08/adidas-parley-sports-shoe-alexander-taylor-recycled-ocean-plastic/, 12.07.2015)
The concept is a preview to a collection due for release later this year, which will use innovative materials to create products from recycled ocean waste.
This release is just a taster of Adidas's focus on sustainability, coming off the back of their first sustainability report earlier this year. In fact in 2014 Adidas were already sourcing 30% of their cotton sustainably under the Better Cotton Initiative. Working towards the objective of all products, across all brands, using sustainable cotton by 2018. You can read more about Adidas's sustainability report here.
Disappointingly we won't see the design concept announced last week hit shops, however we should see something similar towards the end of the year. I can't wait to see what this partnership's first collection will look like and it's probably going to be the first time in a long time that an Adidas product has been top of my wish list since Beckham wore these Predators...
(Source: http://openthecity.co.uk/the-complete-history-of-adidas-predators/, 12.07.2015)
Comments? Found any sustainable products and brands? Feel free to share in the comments box below.
With an upper made from plastic waste recovered from the oceans and confiscated illegal fishing nets, the shoe makes an impressive statement of intent for the direction of the partnership. Combining sustainable and innovative materials with clean and cool design.
The concept is a preview to a collection due for release later this year, which will use innovative materials to create products from recycled ocean waste.
This release is just a taster of Adidas's focus on sustainability, coming off the back of their first sustainability report earlier this year. In fact in 2014 Adidas were already sourcing 30% of their cotton sustainably under the Better Cotton Initiative. Working towards the objective of all products, across all brands, using sustainable cotton by 2018. You can read more about Adidas's sustainability report here.
Disappointingly we won't see the design concept announced last week hit shops, however we should see something similar towards the end of the year. I can't wait to see what this partnership's first collection will look like and it's probably going to be the first time in a long time that an Adidas product has been top of my wish list since Beckham wore these Predators...
Comments? Found any sustainable products and brands? Feel free to share in the comments box below.
28/06/2015
Nike & 8 recycled plastic bottles
It's always annoying when you think you've come up with a great idea, only to find out its already been done. Yet finding out that Nike are making all their football kits (shirts and shorts) from recycled polyester is definitely sweeter than bitter. Knowing this I quickly copped my teams away shirt for the 2014/2015 season (at a great sale price) and have been spending this lazy Sunday reliving my youth in the comfort of sportswear.
Under the Nike Better World strategy, Nike uses recycled plastic bottles to create an innovative yarn, with the full football kit using around 13 bottles. If you think about the scale of football merchandise worldwide, this is a really exciting design strategy. I've read countless articles discussing the threat of plastic waste, particularly in the worlds oceans, and Nike using this 'waste' to produce is a great step in the right direction. This is reflected in similar projects from Adidas and G-Star 'Raw For The Oceans', which I'll aim to write about in a later post.
It's very interesting to see Nike's brand strategy evolve since the 90s, when they were publicly maligned for child labour and sweat shops, to making corporate social responsibility a key value of their brand today (you can read more about that here and here).
In the meantime, I can support my team, whilst also supporting a brand with a clear sustainable strategy at its core. Win win.
Want to discuss further? Found any sustainable and ethical products and brands? Feel free to share in the comments box below.
Sources: http://news.nike.com/news/nike-better-world, 2015.06.28
http://www.dw.com/en/adidas-nike-bolster-eco-claims-with-recycled-plastic/a-18406950, 28.06.2015
http://www.triplepundit.com/special/roi-of-sustainability/how-nike-embraced-csr-and-went-from-villain-to-hero/, 28.06.2015
21/06/2015
Nudie Jeans
Image source: http://www.sdtrading.eu/the-nudie-jeans-way-of-recycling/ 16.06.2015)
It’s coming up to a year since I bought my first pair of Nudie
Jeans. And in some ways my hunt for sustainably produced
denim was a catalyst to rihtwīs.
Nudie Jeans are a Swedish brand centred on 4 key principles:
Repair, Reuse, Recycle and Responsibility (read more here). Founded by Maria
Erixon in 2001 alongside partners Joakim Levin and Palle Stenberg, there is a
clear passion for denim, creativity and sustainability.
(Image source: http://www.nudiejeans.com/my-story-maria-erixon/, 07.06.2015)
Nudie Jeans use of 100% organic cotton throughout their denim
collection is what drew me to the brand. Reading more about the brand it's clear that this wasn't an easy milestone to get to, with a lot of thought put into the sourcing of materials and the production of the product.
Organic cotton
Yet since 2012 Nudie Jeans have been producing their denim
collections and clothing lines with Fairtrade certified 100% organic cotton.
What's really interesting is the transparency of the production processes shared by Nudie, all available in an easy to understand guide. The information, from the suppliers used through to the
materials, is categorised according to product type. All geared towards helping you and I make an informed and conscious decision on whether to buy a Nudie product. The only information I couldn't find was on the process and types of dye used. This is odd
considering all other elements of production are incredibly well presented,
so could be down to my research skills rather than the availability of
the information.
Nudie Jeans also focus on the working conditions at their suppliers. They do this by using accredited auditors as well as unannounced supplier visits at both direct suppliers and their subcontractors. It’s clear that the team at Nudie Jeans have a clear focus on all products being ethically produced. The fact it's all easy to find and understand was a really strong influence on my decision to buy jeans from Nudie.
Nudie Jeans also focus on the working conditions at their suppliers. They do this by using accredited auditors as well as unannounced supplier visits at both direct suppliers and their subcontractors. It’s clear that the team at Nudie Jeans have a clear focus on all products being ethically produced. The fact it's all easy to find and understand was a really strong influence on my decision to buy jeans from Nudie.
My Grim Tim Nudie Jeans, 1 year on
I went for the Grim Tim in indigo, which is a slim fit cut. They're my first pair of raw denim jeans and breaking in the shape whilst watching the natural ageing of the denim has been amazing. I've never fallen in love with a pair of jeans quite like my Nudies and I find myself wearing them at work with a white shirt and blazer or with a t-shirt on the weekend.
I'm only into my first year with these Nudies, but I'm sure they'll be a part of my wardrobe for many years to come. And even though the jeans aren't cheap (I bought mine for £90), I think its a reasonable price to pay for a pair of quality jeans that are sustainably produced with a fantastic cut.
I'll be following up this post with more brand reports showcasing brands and products that have a clear sustainable identity. In the meantime check out the rihtwīs instagram and twitter for regular updates.
Found any sustainable and ethical products and brands? Share it with me in the comments box.
I'm only into my first year with these Nudies, but I'm sure they'll be a part of my wardrobe for many years to come. And even though the jeans aren't cheap (I bought mine for £90), I think its a reasonable price to pay for a pair of quality jeans that are sustainably produced with a fantastic cut.
I'll be following up this post with more brand reports showcasing brands and products that have a clear sustainable identity. In the meantime check out the rihtwīs instagram and twitter for regular updates.
Found any sustainable and ethical products and brands? Share it with me in the comments box.