ASA bans Adidas, Uniqlo and Calvin Klein 'recycled' ads

The UK advertising watchdog has banned Google ads from Calvin Klein, Adidas and Uniqlo that promoted clothing and shoes as 'recycled' after the advertisers were unable to prove their green claims. Each company ran paid-for Google ads: Adidas promoted 'recycled running shoes', Calvin Klein 'recycled' tops for women, and Uniqlo advertised fleece coats and jackets made from 'recycled materials'.

Adidas said it did not have a recycled running shoe range but that certain products across its collections might incorporate recycled materials and that it held internal product documentation to confirm its claims. Calvin Klein said certain products in its women’s T-shirts and tops range included 'environmentally preferred materials' — including recycled, organic and other materials — and that it would not be reasonable for consumers to interpret its ad as meaning the claims applied to the entire range.

United Kingdom

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