Nike’s recycled World Cup uniforms reveal the limits of ‘circular’ fashion
Nike has introduced World Cup uniforms made from recycled fabrics, marking a step towards sustainable fashion. However, experts caution that the scalability of chemical recycling technology remains uncertain. The fashion industry continues to grapple with significant sustainability challenges, producing vast amounts of waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
- ▪Nike's new uniforms may include a mix of recycled scraps and old clothing.
- ▪The company has partnered with two chemical recycling firms to produce apparel from 100 percent textile waste.
- ▪Experts believe that while chemical recycling is technically possible, it may not be widely available for consumers in the near future.
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Joseph Winters Staff Writer Published May 27, 2026 Topic Climate + Culture Share/Republish Copy Link Republish Copy Link Email SMS X Facebook Republish Reddit LinkedIn Bluesky This month, athletes from 16 countries will kick off the World Cup wearing other people’s used clothing. Well, maybe. They’ll be sporting uniforms made from recycled fabric, potentially including a mix of scraps and old clothes. It’s the latest initiative from Nike, one of the world’s largest apparel companies, to incorporate more recycled material into the attire it makes. This time, the garment giant said it used “advanced chemical recycling” to produce its first elite performance apparel from 100 percent textile waste.
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