Sustainable Sportswear: Top Eco-Friendly Brands and Products

The world is awakening to the importance of sustainability, including the sports world. We're demanding more from our activewear than just performance; we want it to be kind to the planet. Luckily, the sportswear industry is responding with innovative materials, ethical production practices, and a growing range of incredible sustainable sportswear brands. At Stock UK, we're committed to bringing you the best in performance and eco-consciousness through the brands we display.

Why Choose Sustainable Sportswear?

Traditional sportswear often relies on synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation. Sustainable sportswear, on the other hand, utilises eco-friendly alternatives like:

• Recycled Materials: Turning plastic bottles and other waste into high-performance fabrics.

• Organic Cotton: Grown without harmful pesticides or fertilisers.

• Innovative Plant-Based Fabrics: Materials like bamboo, Tencel (made from wood pulp), and recycled nylon offer excellent performance with a reduced environmental impact.

• Ethical Production: Ensuring fair labour practices and safe working conditions for garment workers.

By choosing sustainable sportswear, you're making a conscious decision to reduce your footprint and support brands prioritising people and the planet.

Sustainable Product Fabrics to Look Out for on Stock UK

When shopping for sustainable sportswear, it’s important to know the materials that are better for the environment:

• Recycled Polyester: Made from recycled plastic bottles or discarded fabric, this material helps reduce plastic waste.

• Organic Cotton: Grown without harmful pesticides or fertilisers, organic cotton is a more sustainable alternative to conventional cotton.

• Merino Wool: A natural, biodegradable, highly breathable and moisture-wicking, making it perfect for sportswear.

• Tencel®: A sustainable fabric made from wood pulp. It’s soft, breathable, and produced in a closed-loop process that recycles water and solvents.

• Recycled Nylon: Like recycled polyester, this material is made from discarded nylon fabrics, such as old fishing nets and textile scraps.

Top Sustainable Sportswear Brands at Stock UK

While Stock UK's specific brand offerings may vary, here are some leading sustainable sportswear brands to watch and consider when making activewear choices. Look for similar brands and offerings at Stock UK.

Nike: Move to Zero

Nike's Move to Zero initiative is a comprehensive sustainability plan aimed at achieving zero carbon and zero waste to help protect the future of sport. Launched in 2019, this initiative includes several key commitments:

1. Power owned-and-operated facilities with 100% renewable energy by 2025.

2. Reduce carbon emissions across its global supply chain by 30% by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement of 2015.

3. Divert 99% of all footwear manufacturing waste from landfills.

4. Divert over 1 billion plastic bottles annually from landfills to create yarns for new jumpers and uppers for Flyknit shoes.

5. The Reuse-A-Shoe and Nike Grind programs can convert waste into new products, playgrounds, running tracks, and courts.

Nike has introduced sustainable materials, like recycled polyester, and is working on innovative designs to eliminate waste. The company has also implemented a Move to Zero sunburst badging system to help consumers quickly identify sustainable products.

By focusing on sustainability, Nike aims to address the impacts of climate change on sports, such as extreme weather conditions and air quality issues that affect athletes' ability to play and enjoy sports. 

Adidas: End Plastic Waste 

Adidas' End Plastic Waste campaign continues to make significant progress towards its 2025 goals. Key achievements and targets include:

1. Nine in ten Adidas articles will be sustainable by 2025. As of 2022, seven out of ten products were already sustainable, putting the company on track to achieve this goal.

2. Adidas is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per product by 15% by 2025 compared to 2017.

3. The company has introduced PRIMEBLUE and PRIMEGREEN performance fabrics from recycled materials to support its sustainability efforts.

4. Adidas is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.

5. The brand aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

6. Adidas has been replacing virgin polyester with recycled polyester since 2024, with 96% of the polyester used now being recycled.

7. The company is investing in innovative technologies and partnerships to create sustainable products. For example, it collaborated with Allbirds to produce a low-carbon footprint running shoe.

These initiatives demonstrate Adidas' ongoing commitment to sustainability and its efforts to end plastic waste in the sportswear industry.

Under Armour: What’s Under Matters

As outlined in its 2021 Sustainability & Impact Report, Under Armour has made significant strides in sustainability. The company has established a new sustainability framework with 23 goals across three key pillars: products, Home Field, and Team.

Key sustainability initiatives by Under Armour include:

1. Materials and Packaging:

• Prioritising recycled and renewable materials in products.

• Reducing single-use plastic brand product packaging by 75% by 2025.

• Implementing sustainability and circular design principles in at least half of its products by 2027.

2. Environmental Impact:

• Reducing absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.

• Increasing renewable energy use in owned and operated facilities to 100% by 2030.

• Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050.

3. Product Innovation:

• Developing chemistry and processes for a circular footwear program by 2030.

• Supporting innovation to reduce fibre shedding from textiles.

4. Social Impact:

• Investing in teammates' health, safety, and well-being.

• Protecting workers' human rights in the supply chain.

• Creating opportunities for millions of youth to engage in sports by 2030.

Under Armour's "What's Under Matters" approach focuses on performance-driven innovations using more sustainable materials and efficient production processes. The company is committed to continuous improvement, industry-wide collaboration, and transparent communication with stakeholders in its ongoing sustainability journey.

Merrell: Protect What Has Protected Us - This is Home

Merrell, a leading outdoor brand, has launched a multi-year sustainability initiative called "This Is Home." This campaign inspires consumers to protect nature by promoting sustainable materials and practices. Key initiatives include:

1. Merrell ReTread Program: A take-back and resale program designed to save 300,000 pairs of footwear from landfills. Consumers can return used Merrell shoes to be repaired, refurbished, or recycled, promoting a circular economy.

2. Sustainable Materials: By 2025, Merrell aims for 100% of its products to contain organic, recycled, or renewable materials. This includes recycled polyester, organic cotton, and innovative materials like recycled rubber and EVA.

3. Reduced Waste: The brand is committed to reducing plastic packaging and minimising waste in its operations.

4. Community Engagement: Merrell encourages volunteerism and community involvement, aiming for 10,000 volunteer hours annually.

Ellesse: Better Cotton Initiative

Ellesse has committed to reducing its environmental impact significantly through various initiatives as part of its sustainability strategy:

1. Net Zero by 2032: Ellesse aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2032 through science-based reductions.

2. Sustainable Materials: The brand incorporates organic fabrics like organic cotton and uses recycled materials such as recycled polyester and regenerated nylon in its products.

3. Better Cotton Initiative: Ellesse is a proud member of this initiative, which aims to source 80% of its cotton from Better Cotton by 2023.

4. Sustainable Packaging: Ellesse plans to produce 100% of its packaging using more sustainable materials by 2024.

5. Transparency: To promote ethical sourcing practices, the brand publishes a list of all its manufacturers on its corporate website.

Through these efforts, Ellesse is actively working towards creating a more sustainable future while maintaining its commitment to quality and style.

Level Up Your Workout, Lower Your Impact

Switching to sustainable sportswear is a win-win. You can enjoy high-performance apparel supporting your active lifestyle while contributing to a healthier planet. Explore the options available at Stock UK and discover the joy of sustainable sweat! Contact our team today for more sustainable advice and guidance, or subscribe to our newsletter to learn about new drops and top tips on caring for our products.