Leading brands tackle plastic waste in our oceans

Did you know Wiggle is the world’s largest online cycling and tri-sports retailer, serving customers in over 100 countries and it’s head office is in Portsmouth? The Wiggle Group started from a small independent bike shop in Portsmouth called Butler Cycles. Mitch Dall bought the bike shop in 1995 and began trading online a few years later. Wiggle now has over 1,000 employees across offices in Portsmouth and Belfast.

Wiggle has always taken a responsible approach to the environment and for promoting the use of sustainable materials in sports. One of it’s leading brands is Adidas. Their popular Adidas Parley range, including sports clothing and trainers are made entirely from plastic bottles and yarn produced from recycled ocean plastic waste. It’s a terrific commitment to the environment by a major manufacturer particularly to plastic waste in the oceans.

To underline both Wiggle’s and Adidas’ commitment to tackling plastic waste, they recently teamed up with the local environmental group Final Straw for a beach clean near South Parade pier, Southsea. Over the course of just one hour, volunteers collected 2kgs of waste, including plastic bottles, a lego brick, 1,000’s of cigarette butts and 2 pairs of mens boxer shorts!

Photos: Ben Read Photography