Adidas launches Rs 21,000 shoes made with waste

Ever thought of wearing a pair of shoes made with junk floating in the oceans? German Sportswear company, Adidas, has broken new ground with its new range of shoes made from recycled ocean waste. It will launch 60 pairs in India as well.

Ever thought of wearing a pair of shoes made with junk floating in the oceans? German Sportswear company, Adidas, has broken new ground with its new range of shoes made from recycled ocean waste. It will launch 60 pairs in India as well.

An employee of Adidas, poses with a shoe of the German sportswear giant in Germany.(AFP)

UltraBOOST, priced around ₹21,000 per pair, is made of waste equalling 11 plastic bottles. “Globally, the company has made 7,000 pairs. However, only 60 pairs will be available in India starting today,” Dave Thomas, managing director, Adidas Group India, told HT.

The range will be available at select retail stores, one each in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, and on the company’s website. “Moreover, Adidas will build one million pairs globally by the end of 2017, enabling us to bring more pairs to India.”

The company will also produce soccer jerseys using the junk plastic for renowned football clubs Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Ethical fashion went mainstream in 2013, when Puma launched shoes and jackets made of biodegradable and recyclable material globally. Later, Canadian footwear maker Woodland launched a range using biodegradable waste such as recycled tires, vegetable tanned leather and cotton in India.

Harkirat Singh, managing director, Woodland, said, “The demand for the products is not as high as compared to other products as they are slightly expensive. However, we hope our customers will be inspired to choose eco-friendly products as we become more innovative.”