Since 1949, ASICS’ purpose has been to help people achieve a sound mind in a sound body. To do this, we need a sound earth to run on.
The sunflower icon represents ASICS’ commitment to preserving the earth for future generations growing healthier and more positive in body and mind. The icon features two arrows in the center to reference the circularity of resources and ASICS’ hope for a better future.
The sunflower design was inspired by ASICS founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka’s vision to help people live healthier, be happier and reach for their own bright future.
What does the ASICS sunflower icon represent?
The sunflower icon signifies the importance of creating a sustainable, circular economy. To get a better understanding of these concepts it’s important to learn the background of each separate attribute, highlighted below.
- Creating healthier generations. ASICS strives to create healthier generations through physical activity, regardless of age or background. The power of sport empowers people to make positive choices in their lives.
- Evolving into a circular economy. The sunflower icon represents efforts toward evolving into a more circular economy to address climate change: by using less materials, making products that last longer in a cleaner way, and recycling more.
ASICS’ initiative for a better planet
The initiative for a better planet with ASICS begins with the materials used in making sustainable shoes, as well as the methods used to produce them.
ASICS Earth Day Pack
The ASICS Earth Day Pack collection was released in connection with the Earth Day holiday. The collection brings attention to environmental issues by featuring shoes that are made in part from recycled materials. ASICS has recycled about five metric tons of textile waste with the Earth Day Pack collection. This equals roughly 25,000 t-shirts. In turn, this creates a more circular economy.
Products from the Earth Day Pack collection
1. GEL-NIMBUS™ 23
At least 30% of the shoe’s upper polyester are made with recycled materials.
2. GLIDERIDE™ 2
This shoe reduces energy used through the phases of gait. At least 50% of the shoe’s upper polyester are made with recycled materials.
3. GT-1000™ 10
At least 50% of the shoe’s upper polyester are made with recycled materials. The sockliner is manufactured with a solution dyeing process that cuts both water usage and carbon emissions.
4. GEL-LYTE™ III OG
The design of this Sportstyle shoe is identical to its 1990 image. At least 50% of the primary material of the shoe’s upper are made with recycled materials.
5. TARTHER™ BLAST
With FLYTEFOAM™ Blast technology, this shoe comes from ASICS’ performance running range. TARTHER™ comes from the meaning “Tiger Racer”. This design is made with repurposed eco-friendly materials, to help better the environment. At least 40% of the primary material of the shoe’s upper are made with recycled materials.
6. SKYCOURT™
Along with the other shoes mentioned above, the SKYCOURT™ shoe is made with the aesthetic of retro ASICS stripes, mirroring their past volleyball shoes from 1990. At least 50% of the primary material of the shoe’s upper are made with recycled materials. The sockliner is made with the same solution dyeing process to reduce water usage and carbon emissions.
A choice for a sound Earth
ASICS has taken positive steps toward creating a sound Earth by using more environmentally conscious methods. ASICS’ symbolic sustainable products have the sunflower icon on sockliners or apparel hang tags. Shoes with the icon contain (1) reused or leftover materials, or recycled materials from textile waste in part in the shoe’s upper, or (2) at least 20% recycled material in the shoe’s main upper. Apparel with the icon contains (1) leftover material in part or (2) at least 50% recycled materials from textile waste in the garment’s main material.