Every year, according to a study published in Science, between five and thirteen million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans, and this figure, already alarming, could increase tenfold by 2025. This ocean of plastic causes the death of 1.5 million animals every year, including birds, fish, whales, dolphins and sea turtles.

In an effort to tackle this phenomenon, Adidas has launched an initiative in collaboration with the organisation Parley for the Oceans to clean up the world's oceans, both through communication and awareness activities and through direct action, such as the development of materials based on marine plastic waste that will be available for use in its own products from 2016.

Adidas announced, on the occasion of the publication of its fifteenth annual sustainability report, that it will work with Parley to develop fibres based on recycled ocean waste for use in the production of its clothing and footwear. Adidas has also made a formal commitment to phase out plastic bags from its 2,900 retail outlets around the world.

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According to data from the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep), plastic used in the consumer goods sector causes environmental damage quantifiable at thirteen billion dollars a year.

"Our oceans are on the verge of collapse, everyone must be part of the solution," said Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans. "We are extremely excited about the partnership with Adidas; together we will focus on creating the next generation of design concepts, technologies, materials and products, and we will also engage consumers, athletes, artists, designers, actors, musicians, scientists and environmentalists to raise their voices and contribute to the ocean cause."

United Nations headquarters hosted a conference on climate change on 29 June, entitled "Oceans. Climate. Life", organised by Parley for the Oceans. On this occasion, Adidas and the environmental organisation unveiled the first product born from the collaboration, made from ocean waste.

It is the world's first pair of shoes whose upper is made entirely from recovered materials recycled from plastic waste and illegal nets retrieved from the sea.