Recylced materials now in 90% of ASICS running shoes
Athletic footwear brand ASICS has published a new sustainability report, covering its activities in 2021.
Highlights include a 28% reduction in CO2 emissions from the company’s direct operations and a 19.7% reduction across its supply chain, compared with 2015 baseline levels. ASICS said these improvements had been driven by an increase of up to 30% in its use of recycled polyester.
“We are making progress towards switching 100% of the polyester we use from conventional to recycled,” ASICS said, adding that it had increased its use of recycled polyester in all product categories in 2021. Overall, 90% of new running shoes included recycled material.
It also incorporated textile waste into products including football boots and the GEL-NIMBUS LITE 3 running shoes (pictured).
ASICS also included details in the report of a new green procurement policy, in which it will “prioritise procuring footwear products from sustainable suppliers”. This will mean manufacturing partners will need to have in place “ambitious climate target”, with, for example, plans to source renewable energy. All of the company’s own offices in Japan and its research centre are now powered by 100% renewable electricity.
