Swiss-based high-performance running brand, On, is launching asubscription-based service to offer fully recyclable sportswear to itscustomers worldwide, as it looks to drive zero waste in sportswear.
The subscription service, named Cyclon, will allow subscribers toreceive and wear the latest in running sportswear and then returnend-of-life products back to On, in exchange for the latest version. Oncethe used item is returned, it will be fully recycled by On, who will thenreuse the materials to create new running gear.
The groundbreaking sustainability initiative marks the first of its kindand is part of On’s pledge to lead the circular economy in sportswear aswell as actively contribute to the brand’s commitment to drive zerowaste.
For a deposit of 25 pounds, customers in select countries worldwide cansign up for Cyclon starting today, September 15, at on-running.com/cyclon.The monthly subscription will then be 25 pounds.
"The Cyclon service is a groundbreaking new way to become moresustainable, while also ensuring the running performance is nevercompromised for our customers,” explains On co-founder, Caspar Coppetti ina statement. "Customers who sign-up today will be the first ones to get thelatest in sustainable running technology.”
Swiss footwear brand On launches sustainable sportswear subscriptionservice
The first product to be released as part of the Cyclon service will be afully recyclable, high-performance running shoe, made from bio-basedmaterial, also named Cyclon. At under 200 grams, the Cyclon isultra-lightweight and engineered to perform to elite level competition. TheCyclon’s energy return and plush cushioning characteristics are among thehighest within the On product range.
On co-founder Olivier Bernhard, added: “Making a fully recyclable,performance running shoe is a huge accomplishment, one that we’re immenselyproud of. But we went a step further. We wanted to show that sustainabilityand performance go hand in hand.
“The subscription service enables runners to not only receive one of thehighest performing shoes we’ve engineered, but to continuously receive thebest and most up-to-date shoe technology coming out of our lab.”
Created from over 50 percent bio-based materials made from castor beans,the new Cyclon shoe will not only be a flagship product for innovation insportswear design and circularity but will also represent On’s ongoingcommitment to reducing reliance on virgin petroleum-based materials, addedthe brand.
The company has committed to reducing the environmental footprintassociated with its use of petroleum-based materials including virginpolyester, polyamide, and chemical-based adhesives in favour of 100 percentrecycled polyester (rPES), 100 percent recycled polyamide (rPA), organiccotton, and water-based glues as well as increasing the use of circularmaterials to facilitate easy recyclability.
On Running highlights sustainable credentials with new fullyrecyclable, high-performance running shoe
“We built Cyclon to be a sustainable solution in every sense - from anenvironmental perspective, as a business opportunity and for the benefit ofour runners," explained David Allemann, On co-founder. "In engineering oursustainable product technology, we haven't sacrificed performance. We'veenhanced it.”
The Cyclon shoe will be available exclusively via the On subscriptionservice in the latter half of 2021.
The subscription service is the latest environmental pledge from thebrand, as it has also committed to the Science Based Targets (SBTs) toreduce its carbon emissions, with a view to meeting them in the future.Additionally, On will introduce 100 percent recycled cardboard and 100percent recycled plastic in its packaging by Q4 2021.
This is the latest initiative from the Swiss footwear brand, in May, Onexpanded its products with the launch of its first fashion-focused sneaker, the Cloudnova, asit looked to expand its audience beyond running and move into the lifestylemarket. The Cloudnova was designed with a premium sneaker audience in mindto offer an all-day comfort shoe, tapping into the popularity of merginggenres across fashion, sportswear, and outdoor gear.
This was followed up with a collaboration with Danish luxury audio brand Bang and Olufsen andthe brand’s first tennis-inspired sneaker, The Roger,co-designed by Roger Federer, who invested in the sportswear brand in 2019.
Founded by Allemann, Bernhard, and Coppetti in 2010, On has become amajor disruptor in the athletic footwear market due to its lightweight‘cloud’ cushioned running shoes. The footwear brand is based in Zurich,Portland, Berlin, Yokohama, and Shanghai, and is currently available at6,000 retailers in more than 55 countries in Europe, North America, SouthAmerica and Asia-Pacific.
Images: courtesy of On
