Brazilian strip by Nike

Each of Nike's new football shirts are made from eight recycled plastic bottles.

It’s not often our remit stretches into the realms of sport. For the latest kit innovation from Nike however, we thought we'd make an exception.

In preparation for this Summer’s South African World Cup, Nike has designed a kit that will not only keep players cooler in the baking Cape sun, but will do the planet some good to boot.

Made from nylon, produced from over 13 million melted-down plastic bottles - which were otherwise destined for a Taiwanese landfill site - Nike put the 254,000 kg of waste to good use, producing a kit 15% lighter than previous offerings.

With increased airflow aided by over 200 laser cut holes, the kit will not only help players keep their cool on the pitch, it will also give them the edge in the style stakes, with a double knit structure for a
sleeker look.

Nike has produced the kit – which for the VIP launch pack comes neatly within a recycled plastic bottle – for each of their national teams, including Portugal, the Netherlands and - as demonstrated above - Brazil. The kit is available to buy now, following a launch late last week.

2 March 2010 | Fashion