Sportswear and sneakers are big business. According to a report by Global Industry Analysts, the global market for sports and fitness clothing is projected to reach $231.7 billion by 2024. The demand for athletic shoes is also expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.1 percent from 2019 to 2025. However, these products have a significant environmental impact, as they depend on fossil fuel-based materials, use large amounts of water and chemicals, and generate huge amounts of waste.
Almost 24 billion pairs of shoes are made each year, with a mere 5 percent estimated to be recycled. Many shoes donated to charity are unwearable, and end up in landfill or incineration. A pair of sneakers can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, releasing harmful substances such as methane and microplastics into the environment.
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The main reason for this waste problem is the complex design and construction of footwear, which makes it difficult to repair and recycle. Unlike a basic T-shirt, which might consist of a single material such as 100 percent polyester, a sneaker or running shoe can be made of as many as 65 materials and components — many of which are bonded with adhesives, hindering disassembly for recycling.
The Challenge of Circular Fashion
As one of the key sectors responsible for resource use and carbon emissions, the fashion industry is under increasing pressure to transition from a linear take-make-waste system to a “circular” model, where products are used more, made to be recycled, and constructed from safe and recycled or renewable resources.
However, sportswear and athleisure apparel present a significant challenge due to their dependence on fossil fuels and harmful chemicals from synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, elastane, EVA, polyurethane, and most rubbers. These materials offer high performance, durability, and comfort, but they also consume a lot of energy and water, emit greenhouse gases, and release microfibres into the waterways.
High-tech clothing and footwear commonly combine multiple types of materials, which complicates recycling. For example, a typical sports bra can contain up to 30 different fabrics, elastics, foams, and wires. Moreover, the performance and quality of recycled materials can degrade over time, limiting their reuse potential.
The Future of Sportswear Sustainability
Despite these challenges, there are some promising signs of progress and innovation in the sportswear industry. Some of the leading brands, such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok, have launched initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint, increase their use of recycled materials, and design products for circularity.
For instance, Nike has committed to achieving zero carbon and zero waste by 2025 and has developed a range of products made from recycled materials, such as the Nike Air VaporMax 2020 Flyknit, which is made from at least 50 percent recycled content by weight. Adidas has partnered with Parley for the Oceans to create shoes and apparel from plastic waste collected from the oceans, and has also introduced a fully recyclable running shoe, the Futurecraft Loop, which can be returned to Adidas and remade into new shoes. Reebok has launched a plant-based performance shoe, the Forever Floatride GROW, which is made from castor beans, algae, eucalyptus, and natural rubber.
These examples show that material innovation and collaboration are key to achieving sustainability in sportswear and sneakers. However, these efforts are still not enough to meet the growing demand and consumption of these products. Consumers can play a pivotal role in this shift by choosing brands that support genuine change and consistently prioritize sustainability and transparency. They can also extend the lifespan of their products by taking good care of them, repairing them when possible, and donating or recycling them when they are no longer needed.
Conclusion
Sportswear and sneakers are popular and profitable, but they also pose a serious threat to the environment. The industry needs to adopt a circular fashion model, where products are designed to be recycled and made from safe and renewable resources. This requires innovation, collaboration, and consumer awareness. By moving to zero and beyond, the sportswear industry can protect the future of sport and the planet.
