Nike has diverted more than 3 billion plastic bottles from landfills and the oceans by turning them into fabric, and it’s earned the company the 2024 Milestone Award by Unifi as part of the Repreve Champions of Sustainability Awards.
Footwear brands Nike and Rothy’s have been honored with the 2024 Milestone Award by Unifi, Inc., for their transformative recycling efforts, as part of the seventh annual Repreve Champions of Sustainability Awards. The accolade celebrates major brands that have significantly utilized Repreve’s recycled fibers, thus contributing to the reuse of more than 40 billion plastic bottles. Nike, which was also honored in the first, second, and fifth Champions of Sustainability Awards, has successfully transformed more than 3 billion post-consumer plastic bottles, while Rothy’s has repurposed more than 100 million, setting a high standard in the industry for sustainability.
“Our partners share our vision for a brighter, better, more sustainable future,” Eddie Ingle, Unifi CEO said in a statement. “We are very pleased to celebrate the 2024 Repreve Champions of Sustainability who lead their respective industries forward with their commitment to environmental responsibility. Unifi looks forward to continued innovation and positive impact alongside our extraordinary partners.”
According to Nike, recycled plastic bottles are spun into a high-quality yarn that not only helps the apparel giant meet its goal of reducing waste, but also lowers carbon emissions by up to 30 percent compared to virgin polyester. Nike says it diverts an average of one billion plastic bottles annually from landfills and waterways.
For Rothy’s, recycled materials are the brand’s foundation, serving as its primary fiber. Its website says it has recycled nearly 180 million plastic bottles to date. Last year, Rothy’s became the first shoe manufacturer to earn LEED Gold and TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certifications. “We’re proud to push the boundaries of what’s possible and be a leader in sustainable manufacturing,” reads the website.
Under Armour and Lovesac also received recognition by Unifi. Under Armour was presented with a Special Recognition Award for its commitment to sustainable performance wear, having recycled more than 165 million plastic bottles. The athletic wear label recently debuted its first Spandex alternative, Neolast, as part of its sustainability efforts. Lovesac earned the same honor in the home furnishings category for its use of more than 80 million recycled bottles. Additionally, Zara parent Inditex was awarded the Global Brand Award for giving new life to 360 million bottles, and Serta Simmons Bedding was acknowledged as a Rising Star for integrating Repreve into its sustainable bedding products.
Chad Bolick, Vice President of Brand Sales at Unifi, emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable milestones: “Partnership is the bedrock of progress. Our brand partners help us create a better tomorrow by making sustainable choices today with Repreve recycled fiber. Together, we are evolving industry standards and inspiring transformation.”
In total, the 2024 Repreve Champions of Sustainability awards were presented to 37 brand and retail partners, each recycling at least 10 million bottles, and 64 textile partners who transformed 50 million or more bottles through the use of Repreve performance fibers.
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