ASICS launches environmentally friendly running shoes that can be recycled in a closed loop

        In response to Earth Day, the world-renowned sports brand Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, ASICS (Japan) launched the SUSTAINABILITY series of closed-loop recyclable environmentally friendly running shoes. This series of shoes has a new carbon footprint label on the insole, which clearly shows the carbon emissions generated during the production process of each pair of shoes, allowing consumers to intuitively understand the impact of the products they buy on the environment, thereby enhancing the public's environmental awareness and allowing users to personally feel the satisfaction of contributing to environmental protection when purchasing, further promoting the development and practice of environmental protection.

        New closed-loop recyclable environmentally friendly running shoes

        At least 50% of the upper material in the SUSTAINABILITY series is made of recycled materials. In addition to using recycled PET bottles to produce polyester fibers, which can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the use of fossil resources, more efforts have been made in dyeing. This series uses sustainable circular dyeing technology, which can reduce carbon emissions by 45% and water consumption by 33% during the dyeing process compared to traditional dyeing technology.

        Carbon footprint calculation of closed-loop recyclable environmentally friendly running shoes

        ASICS's SUSTAINABILITY environmentally friendly series of running shoes has a carbon footprint of only 10.8kg during its product life cycle. ASICS's carbon footprint calculation method is based on the most comprehensive report conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the industry average running shoes. The carbon footprint calculation process of producing a pair of new environmentally friendly running shoes:

        ◆Materials

        The process of obtaining finished materials includes: raw material extraction, yarn formation, textile formation, dyeing, and finishing.

        The carbon emissions related to materials of a pair of new environmentally friendly running shoes total 5.2kg of carbon dioxide.

        ◆Manufacturing

        The product manufacturing process includes: cutting, sewing, bonding, and assembly.

        The carbon emissions associated with the manufacturing of a pair of new environmentally friendly running shoes total 3.9kg of carbon dioxide.

        ◆Transportation

        The process of transporting materials at all stages of the product life cycle includes: obtaining materials from suppliers, transporting products from factories to retail stores, returns, and transporting waste to disposal facilities.

        The carbon emissions associated with transportation of a pair of new environmentally friendly running shoes total 0.5kg of carbon dioxide.

        ◆Use

        The carbon emissions associated with the use of a pair of new environmentally friendly running shoes total 0.1kg of carbon dioxide.

        ◆End of life

        The disposal process includes: the treatment of old shoes, the recycling of shoe packaging materials, and the treatment of materials used in the manufacturing process.

        The carbon emissions associated with the disposal of a pair of new environmentally friendly running shoes total 1.1kg of carbon dioxide.

        According to the above carbon footprint calculation, a pair of new environmentally friendly running shoes, from production to use and disposal, has a carbon emission of only 10.8kg in its product life cycle, which is about 25% lower than the industry average.

        NIMBUS MIRAI, a high-performance running shoe that can be recycled

        The upper is made of polyester fiber material with consistent specifications and no additional covering on the upper, making it easier to sort and recycle. At the same time, ASICS also uses an original special glue to simplify the recycling process - this special glue contains a durable adhesive that can provide excellent bonding during the production process and can easily separate the upper and sole during the recycling process for re-making. Through testing, it was confirmed that 87.3% of the upper materials of NIMBUS MIRAI can be successfully returned to new polyester materials after recycling and used again in running shoe production.

        NIMBUS MIRAI not only considers sustainable design, but also provides runners with a strong performance experience - the midsole uses FF BLAST PLUS ECO environmentally friendly materials made of about 24% renewable resources, which makes the shoes lightweight and shows excellent shock absorption effect.

        In addition, ASICS has also launched its first recycling program in some markets around the world, calling on consumers to return NIMBUS MIRAI after the end of its service life through offline stores, and put it into recycling production after technical processing, so as to call on more people to participate in the practice of sustainable concepts through practical actions.

        The innovative closed-loop recycling process behind NIMBUS MIRAI

        TerraCycle, a recycling company based in New Jersey, USA, will take over the recycling process of Asics' scrapped Nimbus Mirai shoes. In order to improve footwear recycling, TerraCycle will participate in the recycling process of Nimbus Mirai closed-loop products. “This is an incredible example of collaboration between two key stakeholders in the product lifecycle,” said TerraCycle CEO and founder. “ASICS is the driving force behind the closed loop initiative, and TerraCycle’s innovative closed loop recycling process allows athletes and consumers around the world to know that their running shoes will be recycled into new shoes instead of being sent to landfill or incinerators.”

        It is estimated that of the 23.9 billion pairs of shoes produced globally each year, 95% will become waste. Running shoes are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their complex material composition, which includes a variety of textiles, rubbers, foams, fibers, etc., which are often bonded or stitched together. TerraCycle’s cutting-edge process allows the materials used in the NIMBUS MIRAI to be recovered and recycled - from the sole to the laces. "The footwear industry has yet to find an adequate solution to this waste problem," said ASICS General Manager of Footwear Manufacturing. "We have conducted extensive research and we are proud to announce the launch of a high-performance running shoe designed with materials that can be worn and re-worn, ending the disposable life cycle of our products."

        ASICS (Japan) is a professional functional sports brand. Since its establishment in 1949, ASICS's purpose has been to help people achieve a sound mind in a sound body. To do this, you also need a healthy planet to run. Therefore, ASICS is taking action to reduce carbon emissions, adopt closed-loop recyclable materials and reduce resource use, and continue to bring the benefits of sports to this world that loves running. ASICS is committed to making a positive impact on people and the earth for the benefit of the next generation. On the road of environmental protection, ASICS is not just confined to the present, but aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 63% from production to supply chain by 2030, and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.