Major League Soccer Teams Wear Parley Ocean Plastic On Earth Day
All 23 Major League Soccer teams take the field in adidas kits made from Ocean Plastic® on Earth Day weekend, April 20-22
Last Earth Day, we teamed up with adidas and Major League Soccer to raise awareness and inspire action around the harmful impact of marine plastic pollution by creating customized uniforms built of technical yarns made from Parley Ocean Plastic®. On Earth Day 2017, four MLS clubs — New York City FC, Orlando City SC, LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC — demonstrated the power of creative collaboration by wearing adidas MLS Parley kits. This year, we're excited to expand the partnership and include every team in the league.
During Earth Day weekend, April 20-22, all 23 MLS teams will stand up for the oceans by taking the field in kits made fro Parley Ocean Plastic. The partnership, in conjunction with MLS WORKS Greener Goals, is part of the League-wide efforts on and off the field to highlight MLS’ commitment to environmental stewardship.
The 2018 edition of the jerseys comes in two colorways, non-dye and carbon, differentiating the two teams in each game. Each product is crafted using Parley Ocean Plastic™ upcycled from plastic intercepted on beaches and in coastal communities. Once collected, the original plastic source is reworked into technical fibers that can then be repurposed for use in products that catalyze change and equip its drivers.
To commemorate this unique process, and the partnership and mission behind it, the message “For the Oceans” is featured in the inside of the neck tape detailing, and each club’s name is featured on the back-neck.
The adidas 2018 MLS Parley jerseys for all 23 clubs are available for purchase starting April 18 at www.adidas.com/us/soccer and www.mlsstore.com.
“We are proud to continue to build upon our collaborative efforts with MLS and Parley for the Oceans to inspire creative solutions for protecting the world’s oceans. We believe in the innovative partnership we have forged and hope that these kits made using Parley Ocean Plastic inspire the soccer community to join us in preserving our precious environment.”
- Ernesto Bruce, Sr. Director of adidas Soccer.
“In partnership with adidas, we’re excited to bring the MLS Parley kits to all 23 clubs as part of this season’s MLS WORKS Greener Goals initiative,” said JoAnn Neale, Chief Administrative & Social Responsibility Officer for Major League Soccer. “MLS is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and raising awareness about environmental issues, including plastic pollution. We’re proud to support Parley for the Oceans and encourage the soccer community to create a cleaner, healthier environment.”
“Creating change and playing soccer feels very similar. You strategize, you dive into the game and give everything you have. That’s why you never truly lose. You just get better and better. And suddenly victory is yours, as if it is the most normal thing in life. The good thing with this partnership: with all 23 Major League Soccer teams flying our jerseys, the Oceans always win!”
- Cyrill Gutsch, Founder of Parley
Since the announcement of the adidas and Parley partnership in April 2015, the focus of the collaboration is the brand’s commitment to implement the Parley A.I.R. strategy (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign). As a part of “Redesign”, adidas is committed to increasing the use of eco-innovative materials such as Parley Ocean Plastic™ in its products as a replacement for virgin plastic and a symbol and catalyst for longer-term change.
We don't see the use of recycled or upcycled plastic materials as a solution to the complex threat of marine plastic pollution. The ultimate goal is to end the use of current plastic by reinventing it, and replacing it with something new. We need more research, more eco innovation and more collaboration to get there. We need a Material Revolution. This partnership is dedicated to setting new industry standards with a focus on creativity and collaboration. These jerseys don't just raise awareness, they help create a climate of change.
In addition to checking out this gear in-person at all the MLS matches across the nation, fans will be able to see the new kits during the local and nationally-televised games across Earth Day weekend (schedule available here).
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