World Cup teams to wear plastic bottles

As you relax on your couch or in your local bar watching the various World Cup games, be sure to pay close attention to some of the kits (aka uniforms) to see a cool usage of recycled plastic bottles.

For instance, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team will compete in Brazil this year in a "deeply patriotic" new away kit. The shirt, shorts - and for the first time in a national team kit, the socks - all feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles (100 percent recycled polyester in the shorts, 96 percent recycled polyester in the shirt and 78 percent in the socks). Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled plastic bottles. Since 2010, Nike has diverted almost two billion bottles from landfills, enough to cover over 2,800 full-sized soccer pitches.

"Incorporating environmental sustainability is a key part of the design and development process for us," said Martin Lotti, Nike Football Global Creative Director. "Our aim is to create a kit that performs for players and is good to the planet."

Other teams to wear the recycled polyester include England, Brazil, Portugal and Korea.

"I like the patriotic design and color scheme and I think it will look great on the pitch," said U.S. Men's National Team Captain Clint Dempsey. "Hopefully they will serve us well as we head into a competitive group."

Nike says that in addition to keeping players cool, the kit is made with a new dual-knit fabrication that incorporates cotton and recycled polyester for the best in moisture wicking properties, while adding a softer feel and more "flattering shape."