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INSPIRATION AND ADVICE
WHAT IS NIKE MOVE TO ZERO?
By ASOS, 22 April 2021
So, Move to Zero, what’s it all about? What’s the deal with that sweet, speckled sole? Just how responsible are Nike’s garms? Important questions, all answered here. Kai gets the lowdown from Seana Hannah – Nike’s head of sustainable product innovation – on the brand’s big journey towards a more responsible future.
What is Move to Zero?
'Move to Zero is Nike’s journey toward a zero-carbon and zero-waste future. Right now, we're focusing on creating lower-carbon materials for our products, because materials make up more than 70% of Nike’s total footprint – so innovation here could lead to huge changes. Waste is also a major priority for us: we’re not only increasing the amount of leftover finished products that we refurbish, recycle or donate, but we’re also designing-out waste from the start, looking at new production methods and technologies that will help us turn trash into something new. It’s definitely a work in progress, but we’re very focused on this journey.'
'Move to Zero is Nike’s journey toward a zero-carbon and zero-waste future. Right now, we're focusing on creating lower-carbon materials for our products, because materials make up more than 70% of Nike’s total footprint – so innovation here could lead to huge changes. Waste is also a major priority for us: we’re not only increasing the amount of leftover finished products that we refurbish, recycle or donate, but we’re also designing-out waste from the start, looking at new production methods and technologies that will help us turn trash into something new. It’s definitely a work in progress, but we’re very focused on this journey.'
What’s so special about Move To Zero clothing?
'We have a real opportunity here to innovate and create sustainable solutions at scale. When you think about the fact that Nike sells one pair of Tempo shorts every six seconds, switching to recycled polyester in that style has a major impact. Every detail matters, however small. This season, the draw-cords and zippers are made from Nike Grind.'
'We have a real opportunity here to innovate and create sustainable solutions at scale. When you think about the fact that Nike sells one pair of Tempo shorts every six seconds, switching to recycled polyester in that style has a major impact. Every detail matters, however small. This season, the draw-cords and zippers are made from Nike Grind.'
So what is Nike Grind?
'It started 25 years ago as an initiative to collect and recycle shoes to turn into actual basketball courts, and the result was Nike Grind: a recycled material created from our own manufacturing scrap, unsellable products and worn-out sneakers – think rubber, foam, leather, plastic and textiles. We use Nike Grind for our stores, workplaces, sports and playground surfaces – and our sneakers, of course! This season, you'll find Nike Grind in the Nike Crater Impact, AF1 Move To Zero, Daybreak Move To Zero, Vapormax 2021 and Evo, AF1 Crater Flyknit and the Space Hippie.'
'It started 25 years ago as an initiative to collect and recycle shoes to turn into actual basketball courts, and the result was Nike Grind: a recycled material created from our own manufacturing scrap, unsellable products and worn-out sneakers – think rubber, foam, leather, plastic and textiles. We use Nike Grind for our stores, workplaces, sports and playground surfaces – and our sneakers, of course! This season, you'll find Nike Grind in the Nike Crater Impact, AF1 Move To Zero, Daybreak Move To Zero, Vapormax 2021 and Evo, AF1 Crater Flyknit and the Space Hippie.'
Pictures: ASOS
How hard is it to reduce waste at Nike?
'Our goal is to eliminate waste at every step in the Nike chain, which means designing waste out of our products from the get-go, and creating better manufacturing processes. Nike Flyknit is a good example: it generates roughly 60% less waste than traditional footwear-upper manufacturing processes. Nike Air is another one: since 2008, all Nike Air soles contain at least 50% recycled manufacturing waste, and 90% of the waste generated from making our Air soles gets reused. Today, 26% of all Nike’s polyester is made from recycled plastic bottles. So, to answer the question, we have a long way to go, but we’re moving in a positive direction.'
'Our goal is to eliminate waste at every step in the Nike chain, which means designing waste out of our products from the get-go, and creating better manufacturing processes. Nike Flyknit is a good example: it generates roughly 60% less waste than traditional footwear-upper manufacturing processes. Nike Air is another one: since 2008, all Nike Air soles contain at least 50% recycled manufacturing waste, and 90% of the waste generated from making our Air soles gets reused. Today, 26% of all Nike’s polyester is made from recycled plastic bottles. So, to answer the question, we have a long way to go, but we’re moving in a positive direction.'
