Adidas Greenwashes: They Make Shoes from Waste, But Meanwhile They Pollute, Exploit Labor, and Fake Advertising

Millions of pieces sold every year. But are they really recycled products? It doesn't seem so, according to a series of complaints. As for worker conditions, here's what happens in Asian factories.

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640px Herzogenaurach Adidas 2016

Adidas shares the world record for sneakers sold annually with Nike. To stimulate the market and create new demand for a product that is always at risk of being outperformed, the American multinational launched a line of sneakers made from ocean plastic a few years ago. That's a lot of plastic, considering that just the laces for a pair of these shoes require 11 plastic bottles.

With its line of shoes and clothing created in collaboration with Parley for the OceansAdidas sells millions of items in its catalogs every year, and believes it has earned its reputation as a sustainable company, a label that can spend full volume on its marketing and advertising campaigns. But here the doubts begin, and the risk greenwashing it's really just around the corner.

Already in 2021, the multinational was found guilty of making false and misleading claims related to sustainability, after having included in its slogan “Always iconic. Now more sustainable"to sponsor its iconic Stan Smith shoes. In reality, these shoes were only 50 percent recycled. Years later, Adidas was also caught red-handed in France", regarding greenwashing. And the association Zero Waste France no, has denounced Adidas, for the use of slogans such as “Made to be remade” and “End plastic waste”, with these precise accusations: «Adidas indiscriminately uses the recycling argument to claim that some of its products reduce the carbon footprint of those who buy them. In particular, the “FutureCraft Footprint” sneakers are sold as a way to “preserve the planet,” without saying a word about the environmental impact of recycled polyester or the technical impossibility of its infinite recycling.

But the second accusation is much more serious, and is in open conflict with Goal 8 of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Decent, safe and equitable work for all) and with any responsible choice by a company regarding the environment. In the report Bound by Brics, published by the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (better known by its French acronym Licadho), made a dramatic discovery regarding the factories of 21 brands in Cambodia, including Adidas: some factories use clothing waste such as plastic, fabric scraps, and rubber to fuel their furnaces. The combustion of this waste produces harmful emissions with devastating consequences for workers, their children, and nearby communities. Furthermore, these production techniques devastate crops and land, exacerbate workers' lung problems, and cause asthma and lung disease in children.

It's clear that Adidas, given the type of products it produces, has a lot to make amends for, even with its own consumers. The production of athletic apparel and footwear requires large amounts of water and energy. In particular, the production of cotton and other agricultural materials can lead to the excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which pollute soil and groundwater. Furthermore, the production of polyurethane and other plastics requires non-renewable resources. Adidas's supply chain, like that of many other apparel companies, contributes to CO₂ emissions, particularly through the production and transportation of products. Factories in countries such as China, Cambodia, and Vietnam are primarily powered by non-renewable energy sources, contributing to climate change. The intensive cultivation of natural resources such as cotton or rubber for the production of shoes and apparel can lead to soil degradation and biodiversity loss. The cultivation and harvesting process, especially when not done sustainably, can damage local ecosystems. Finally, Adidas contributes significantly to the creation of the apparel industry's notorious waste cities.

Perhaps, before proclaiming themselves a sustainable and environmentally conscious company, Adidas executives would do well to address all the unsustainable factors in their business, from the exploitation of labor in underdeveloped countries to the destruction of land, water, and crops.

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